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When did UpCodes change?

Yankee Chronicler

Yankee Chronicler

SAWHORSE
Joined
Oct 17, 2023
Messages
3,704
Location
New England
One of UpCodes' claims, especially when responding to ICC lawsuits, has been that they provide free access to codes, and that codes "belong" to the public. And for several years I have used UpCodes to look up codes in other states for free. I have had unlimited access to the codes -- but not to UpCodes' extra services, such as notes and explanatory comments and diagrams.

And a couple of days ago I suddenly couldn't access the UpCodes web site. It's now asking me to create an account, which will allow me to use the site for ten days to evaluate whether or not I want to subscribe (I don't). So, as of this week, I am locked out of UpCodes.

What happened?
 
I created an account with them quite a while ago but have never subscribed. Every now and then, I get logged out (cookie issues? server maintenance? don't know) and log back in without any problems. Still free access to all codes listed but (as YC states above) without paying I don't see their comments and diagrams.
 
Yup, I noticed that about 18 months ago. Not a fan. I have one staff member who prefers the up codes so they have a subscription, but I don't trust it. I used it occasionally before they required the login, but I've found mistakes, so I tell my guy to double check when it's something important.
 
I have an account, never had a subscription (I tried the trial, not for me, and their extra diagrams often aren't always accurate to local amendments). Never been asked to subscribe or lose access though.

Only reason I use UpCodes over ICC's site is because I can click on a word and be brought directly to the definition, or click on a referenced code section and be immediate brought to said code section. It saves me a little bit of time and is slightly more user friendly. If ICC did that, I'd abandon UpCodes in a heartbeat.
 
arwat23 said:
I have an account, never had a subscription (I tried the trial, not for me, and their extra diagrams often aren't always accurate to local amendments). Never been asked to subscribe or lose access though.

Only reason I use UpCodes over ICC's site is because I can click on a word and be brought directly to the definition, or click on a referenced code section and be immediate brought to said code section. It saves me a little bit of time and is slightly more user friendly. If ICC did that, I'd abandon UpCodes in a heartbeat.
Click to expand...
That, and ICC doesn't have CA Plumbing or Mechanical. Last I checked anyways.
 
Last edited:
Is it the same with the electrical code for ICC?

Our state webpage has links for all of the codes. They take you to ICC, IAPMO, or NFPA depending on the code you select.

Codes

www.dgs.ca.gov www.dgs.ca.gov
 
Apparently they have ended free access, effective today (August 29). When I try to access anything on their site, this is what I see:

1756520077816.png

If I click on the 'Get Access" box, it takes me to a screen from which I can choose one of three subscription plans. Each offers a free two-week trial, but it's an opt-out trial -- to try it, you have to buy in, give them your credit card, and then you can cancel within the two weeks. I won't do those. I know they're counting on at least some people forgetting to cancel, and getting stuck with a subscription they don't want. If the product is so good I'll love it -- make the trial opt-in, not opt-out.

More to the point, UpCodes has been arguing in court against the ICC that they (UpCodes) should be allowed to continue because laws are supposed to be free and they're providing free access to laws. But now they're not free. I wonder if this signals that UpCodes has won another decision in court ...
 
There also proposed federal legislation championed the the ICC, NFPA and other code developing groups to protect the group copyrights "Protecting and Enhancing Public Access to Code Act (Pro Code Act) which goal is to protect the code develop groups intellectual properties, which was close to becoming law the last session of the F3ederial process, it is working through the process again.

ICC page linked here https://www.iccsafe.org/about/news-and-events/copyright-protection/
 
Yankee Chronicler said:
Each offers a free two-week trial, but it's an opt-out trial -- to try it, you have to buy in, give them your credit card, and then you can cancel within the two weeks.
Click to expand...
I believe that after you cancel, you still have free access to the basic info, you're just cancelling the premium services. So you could try signing up and immediately cancelling.

At least, I was forced to make an account several months ago (and I don't recall the free trial rigamarole), and my free access is still there.

Cheers, Wayne
 
wwhitney said:
I believe that after you cancel, you still have free access to the basic info, you're just cancelling the premium services. So you could try signing up and immediately cancelling.

At least, I was forced to make an account several months ago (and I don't recall the free trial rigamarole), and my free access is still there.

Cheers, Wayne
Click to expand...
You don't have to sign up for the free trial, you still have free access just by giving them your email and creating a password. The next page asks you to sign up for a free trial but you already have a free access account at that point.
 
wwhitney said:
I believe that after you cancel, you still have free access to the basic info, you're just cancelling the premium services. So you could try signing up and immediately cancelling.

At least, I was forced to make an account several months ago (and I don't recall the free trial rigamarole), and my free access is still there.

Cheers, Wayne
Click to expand...

Interesting. In my case, I have had free access for several years -- and a couple of days ago I was suddenly locked out.
 
YC .. if you pick *Pricing* you will get the three paid options. If you pick *Login* you have the option at the bottom to "Sign up for free":
1756654866195.png

I think from there (as stated above) you would cancel the trial, and it reverts to a free account to browse and access to your heart's content. When I look at my "Billing" it shows my free trial expired in 2020!
 
TheCommish said:
There also proposed federal legislation championed the the ICC, NFPA and other code developing groups to protect the group copyrights "Protecting and Enhancing Public Access to Code Act (Pro Code Act) which goal is to protect the code develop groups intellectual properties, which was close to becoming law the last session of the F3ederial process, it is working through the process again.

ICC page linked here https://www.iccsafe.org/about/news-and-events/copyright-protection/
Click to expand...
And I will support it as soon as they make all of the reference standards available for free or with my premium access anyway.....
 
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