Standard Reference Data Act [P.L. 90-396; 15 U.S.C. 290-290f]

"The Congress hereby finds and declares that reliable standardized scientific and

technical reference data are of vital importance to the progress of the Nation's science and

technology. It is therefore the policy of the Congress to make critically evaluated

reference data readily available to scientists, engineers, and the general public. It is the

purpose of this Act to strengthen and enhance this policy."

"For the purposes of this Act--

The term `standard reference data' means quantitative information, related to a

measurable physical or chemical property of a substance or system of substances of

known composition and structure, which is critically evaluated as to its reliability under

section 3 of this Act."

The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of Commerce.

"The Secretary is authorized and directed to provide or arrange for the collection,

compilation, critical evaluation, publication, and dissemination of standard reference

data. In carrying out this program, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent

practicable, utilize the reference data services and facilities of other agencies and

instrumentalities of the Federal Government and of State and local governments, persons,

firms, institutions, and associations, with their consent and in such a manner as to avoid

duplication of those services and facilities. All agencies and instrumentalities of the

Federal Government are encouraged to exercise their duties and functions in such manner

as will assist in carrying out the purpose of this Act. This section shall be deemed

complementary to existing authority, and nothing herein is intended to repeal, supersede,

or diminish existing authority or responsibility of any agency or instrumentality of the

Federal Government."

"To provide form more effective integration and coordination of standard-reference data

activities, the Secretary, in consultation with other interested Federal agencies, shall

prescribe and publish in the Federal Register such standards, criteria, and procedures for

the preparation and publication of standard reference data as may be necessary to carry

out the provisions of this Act."

"Standard reference data conforming to standards established by the Secretary may be

made available and sold by the Secretary or by a person or agency designated by him. To

the extent practicable and appropriate, the prices established for such data may reflect the

cost of collection, compilation, evaluation, and publication, and dissemination of the data,

including administrative expenses; and the amounts received shall be subject to the Act

of March 3, 1901, as amended."

"Notwithstanding the limitations contained in section 105 of title 17 of the United States

Code, the Secretary may secure copyright and renewal thereof on behalf of the United

States as author or proprietor in all or any part of any standard reference data which he
prepares or makes available under this Act, and may authorize the reproduction and

publication thereof by others."

"The publication or republication by the Government under this Act, either separately or

in a public document, of any material in which copyright is subsisting shall not be taken

to cause any abridgment or annulment of the copyright or to authorize any use or

appropriation of such material without the consent of the copyright proprietor.

". . . Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, no appropriations for any fiscal

year may be made for the purpose of this Act after fiscal year 1969 unless previously

authorized by legislation hereafter enacted by the Congress."

(Note - Since the enactment of the Standard Reference Data Act in 1969, the Congress

has authorized the appropriation of certain sums for each fiscal year since that time to

carry out the provisions of that Act.)