Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

10 U.S.C. § 3793

Copyrights, patents, designs, etc.; acquisition

Funds appropriated for a military department available for making or procuring supplies may be used to acquire any of the following if the acquisition relates to supplies or processes produced or used by or for, or useful to, that department:
(1)
Copyrights, patents, and applications for patents.
(2)
Licenses under copyrights, patents, and applications for patents.
(3)
Design and process data, technical data, and computer software.
(4)
Releases for past infringement of patents or copyrights or for unauthorized use of technical data or computer software.

Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 104170A Stat. 137Pub. L. 86–726, § 374 Stat. 855Pub. L. 103–355, title III, § 3063108 Stat. 3337Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title VIII, § 813110 Stat. 395Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, § 1833o134 Stat. 4234Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, § 1701(b)(12)(B)135 Stat. 2134(, , § 2386; , , ; , , ; , , ; renumbered § 3793, ()(2), , ; , , .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section

Source (U.S. Code)

Source (Statutes at Large)

2386

31:649b.

Aug. 1, 1953, ch. 305, § 609, 67 Stat. 350.

The words “equipment, and materials” are omitted as covered by the word “supplies”. The word “hereafter” is omitted as executed. The words “may be used” are substituted for the words “shall * * * be available”. The words “if the acquisition relates to” are substituted for 31:649b (1st 8 words of last sentence). In clauses (1), (2), and (4), the word “patents” is substituted for the words “letters patent”.

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

Pub. L. 86–616, § 3(a)74 Stat. 389Pub. L. 96–513, title II, § 21394 Stat. 2885A prior section 3793, added , , , provided for boards of review, composed of three or more general officers, to be convened by Secretary of the Army, at such places as he prescribes, to review records of cases of officers recommended by boards of inquiry for removal from active list of Regular Army, prior to repeal by , title VII, § 701, , , 2955, effective .

Amendments

Pub. L. 116–283, § 1833oPub. L. 117–81, § 1701(b)(12)(B)section 2386 of this title2021—()(2), as amended by , renumbered as this section.

Pub. L. 104–1061996—Par. (3). amended par. (3) generally, substituting “Design and process data, technical data, and computer software” for “Technical data and computer software”.

Pub. L. 103–3551994—Pars. (3), (4). added pars. (3) and (4) and struck out former pars. (3) and (4) which read as follows:

“(3) Designs, processes, and manufacturing data.

“(4) Releases, before suit is brought, for past infringement of patents or copyrights.”

Pub. L. 86–7261960— inserted “or copyrights” after “patents” in cl. (4).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Pub. L. 117–81Pub. L. 116–283section 1701(a)(2) of Pub. L. 117–81section 3001 of this titleAmendment by applicable as if included in the enactment of title XVIII of as enacted, see , set out in a note preceding and note below.

Pub. L. 116–283section 1801(d) of Pub. L. 116–283section 3001 of this titleAmendment by effective , with additional provisions for delayed implementation and applicability of existing law, see , set out as a note preceding .