2017 US Code
Title 39 - Postal Service
Part I - General
Chapter 4 - General Authority
Sec. 404a - Specific limitations

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Citation 39 U.S.C. § 404a (2017)
Section Name §404a. Specific limitations
Section Text

(a) Except as specifically authorized by law, the Postal Service may not—

(1) establish any rule or regulation (including any standard) the effect of which is to preclude competition or establish the terms of competition unless the Postal Service demonstrates that the regulation does not create an unfair competitive advantage for itself or any entity funded (in whole or in part) by the Postal Service;

(2) compel the disclosure, transfer, or licensing of intellectual property to any third party (such as patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, and proprietary information); or

(3) obtain information from a person that provides (or seeks to provide) any product, and then offer any postal service that uses or is based in whole or in part on such information, without the consent of the person providing that information, unless substantially the same information is obtained (or obtainable) from an independent source or is otherwise obtained (or obtainable).


(b) The Postal Regulatory Commission shall prescribe regulations to carry out this section.

(c) Any party (including an officer of the Commission representing the interests of the general public) who believes that the Postal Service has violated this section may bring a complaint in accordance with section 3662.

Source Credit

(Added Pub. L. 109–435, title IV, §403(a), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 3226.)

Publication Title United States Code, 2012 Edition, Supplement 5, Title 39 - POSTAL SERVICE
Category Bills and Statutes
Collection United States Code
SuDoc Class Number Y 1.2/5:
Contained Within Title 39 - POSTAL SERVICE
PART I - GENERAL
CHAPTER 4 - GENERAL AUTHORITY
Sec. 404a - Specific limitations
Contains section 404a
Date 2017
Laws In Effect As Of Date January 12, 2018
Positive Law Yes
Disposition standard
Statutes at Large References 120 Stat. 3226
Public Law References Public Law 109-435
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