Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-102

§10308 Patent Policy

Title 42 › CHAPTER 109 — WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH › § 10308

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary must follow sections 5908 (except (l) and (n)) and 5909 for patent policy and rights in inventions from contracts or grants here. Research and development funded under this chapter must be handled so resulting data and know‑how are available to the public, except for national defense limits the Secretary finds necessary.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §10308

The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall be governed by the provisions of section 5908 (except subsections (l) and (n)) and 5909 of this title with respect to patent policy and to the definition of title to and licensing of inventions made or conceived in the course of work performed, or under any contract or grant made, pursuant to this chapter. Subject to such patent policy, all research or development contracted for, sponsored, cosponsored, or authorized under authority of this chapter shall be provided in such manner that all information, data, and know-how, regardless of their nature or mediums, resulting from such research and development shall (with such exceptions and limitations, if any, as the Secretary may find to be necessary in the interest of national defense) be usefully available for practice by the general public.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original “this Act”, meaning Pub. L. 98–242, Mar. 22, 1984, 98 Stat. 97, known as the Water Resources Research Act of 1984, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 10301 of this title and Tables.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 10308

Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102