Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-102
§1871 Disposition of Inventions Produced Under Contracts or Other Arrangements
Title 42 › CHAPTER 16 — NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION › § 1871
Summary
Require each research contract to include rules for who owns and how to use inventions, so the public and the contractor are protected. The Foundation cannot make agreements that conflict with patent laws.
Full Legal Text
Title 42, §1871
The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Each contract or other arrangement executed pursuant to this chapter which relates to scientific or engineering research shall contain provisions governing the disposition of inventions produced thereunder in a manner calculated to protect the public interest and the equities of the individual or organization with which the contract or other arrangement is executed: Provided, however, That nothing in this chapter shall be construed to authorize the Foundation to enter into any contractual or other arrangement inconsistent with any provision of law affecting the issuance or use of patents.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1985—Pub. L. 99–159 struck out subsec. (a) designation, inserted “or engineering” after “scientific”, and struck out subsec. (b) which prohibited Foundation officers and employees from acquiring, etc., patent rights in inventions.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
42 U.S.C. § 1871
Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102