Federal Judge Rules MasterFormat Numbers, Titles and Taxonomy Are Not Copyright-Protected
Court grants ZeroDocs summary judgment on all remaining claims, raising new questions about CSI’s Dynamic Standards licensing model and the use of MasterFormat across the AEC industry.
Click here to read article: Federal Judge Rules MasterFormat Numbers and Titles Not Copyright Protected
This is an important update for all Greater St. Louis CSI chapter members who are contemplating what to do regarding CSI National's recently announced licensing scheme for MasterFormat 2026. CSI also introduced Dynamic Standards, a software search tool that purportedly will vastly increase efficiency and accuracy for MF26 users.
Responding to members' requests, CSI also made available auditors' reports for the last five fiscal years. Members may request access to the reports here: CSI Financial Statements The reports revealed that on July 1, 2025, a series of transactions took place between and among CSI, CIN (Construction Information Network), and 18 Below LLC. As a result, CSI’s interest in CIN was converted from a controlling financial interest to a non-controlling investment. CIN was also granted a 10-year exclusive right to sell the licenses for Master Format, Dynamic Standards, and other CSI formats.
If you have questions about the legal judgment, the investment in CIN, or the licensing of CSI's properties, contact our North Central Region CSI Board Director Laura Derrick laurajean@ljd-architect.com or CSI Board Chairman Jarrod Mann BoardChair@csinet.org
They would genuinely welcome hearing your thoughts.
------------------------------
George Everding FCSI, CCS, CCCA, AIA, SCIP
Greater Saint Louis Chapter
314-517-7800
------------------------------