Page:ASTM v. PRO (D.D.C. 2022).pdf/126

 the standard into appendix G. Section 75.10(a)(3)(i)-(iii) requires that the owner or operator of an affected unit shall use one of three approved methods for monitoring CO2 emissions, one of which is outlined in appendix G. And “[i]f the owner or operator chooses to use the appendix G method,” for determining CO2 emissions, “then the owner or operator shall follow the procedures in appendix G to this part for estimating daily CO2 mass emissions based on the measured carbon content of the fuel and the amount of fuel combusted.” 40 C.F.R. § 75.13(b). Appendix G identifies ASTM D2502-92 (1996) as one of two permissible standards for complying with the portion of appendix G that pertains to determinations of the carbon content of oil (the other being ASTM D2503 1992 1997), which Defendant has also published). See id. § 75, App. G. The regulation does not specify that only certain provisions of ASTM D2502 1992 (1996) are incorporated by reference into law, nor does it indicate which specific provisions of ASTM D2502 1992 (1996) are relevant for compliance with the regulation.
 * 1) * First Factor : There is no indication that Defendant stands to profit from republishing this standard; Defendant’s apparent purpose is to inform the public about the law and facilitate public debate. See ASTM, 896 F.3d at 449; Def’s 2d Mot. at 16. Defendant’s “attempt to freely distribute standards incorporated by reference into law qualifie[s] as a use that further[s] the purposes of the fair use defense.” ASTM, 896 F.3d at 449. Further, the incorporated standard provides information essential for a private entity to comprehend its legal duties, which weighs heavily in favor of permitting Defendant’s reproduction. See ASTM, 896 F.3d at 450.
 * 2) * Second Factor : The “express text of the law falls plainly outside the realm of copyright protection.” ASTM, 896 F.3d at 451. Here, the standard is incorporated into law without limitation such that “the consequence of the incorporation by reference is virtually indistinguishable from a situation in which the standard had been expressly copied into law.” Id. at 452. Accordingly, “this factor weighs heavily in favor of fair use.” Id.
 * 3) * Third Factor : The incorporating regulation does not specify that only certain provisions of this standard are incorporated by reference into law, nor does it indicate which specific provisions of the standard are relevant for regulatory compliance, suggesting that “a greater amount of the standard’s text might be fairly reproduced.” Id.
 * 4) * Fourth Factor : Defendant’s reproductions have not had a “substantially adverse impact on the potential market for the originals,” nor have Plaintiffs shown by a preponderance of the evidence that there is a meaningful likelihood of future harm.” Memo Op. at 30–36 (internal quotation and citation marks omitted).
 * 5) * Conclusion : Defendant may fairly reproduce this incorporated standard in its entirety.