In February, a bill was introduced in the United States House of Representatives by Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) called the “Bolstering Intellectual Rights against Digital Infringement Enhancement Act.” Not coincidentally, it’s being called the “BIRDIE Act,” so apparently someone was working hard on their acronyms that day.

The American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) fully supports the bill, stating on its website that the bill’s update to the Architectural Works Copyright Protection Act of 1990, which provides copyright protection for buildings, would “provide protection by amending the definition of an ‘architectural work’ to include golf course designs.” According to a Golf Pass website article, the bill “could have significant ramifications on golf course design and construction, both in the physical world and the digital one.” Specifically, as Golf Pass explains, “While the BIRDIE Act would protect golf course architects from worrying about their original golf courses and features thereof being lifted and reproduced on other properties in the physical world, it also is meant to address reproductions of courses in the digital realm.”

The text of the BIRDIE Act is available on Congress’ website here. But don’t expect it to be passed quickly — par for the course these days.

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