This is a fantastic look into Carl’s pioneering work to bring critical information into the public domain.

The current model of the SDOs is a broken system. Their efforts are spent defending and litigating a defunct business model while they should be evolving a new revenue structure. No one denies the importance of the SDOs to produce regulations to govern safety. However, charging for access to read and limiting reproduction is not the only feasible option. Alternative approaches are possible and should be explored by the SDOs.

Carl’s work has created the building blocks for new approaches to access building regulations. With regulations and codes behind a monetary barrier we stifle innovation and the potential for new tools to help the public access and understand the law.