Public Law 119-83 (04/13/2026)

22 U.S.C. § 2572

Patents; availability to general public; protection of background rights

All research within the United States contracted for, sponsored, cosponsored, or authorized under authority of this chapter, shall be provided for in such manner that all information as to uses, products, processes, patents, and other developments resulting from such research developed by Government expenditure will (with such exceptions and limitations, if any, as the Secretary of State may find to be necessary in the public interest) be available to the general public. This section shall not be so construed as to deprive the owner of any background patent relating thereto of such rights as he may have thereunder.

Pub. L. 87–297, title III, § 30275 Stat. 634 Pub. L. 105–277, div. G112 Stat. 2681–769 (, formerly § 32, , ; renumbered § 302 and amended , subdiv. A, title XII, § 1223(7), (21), , , 2681–772.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 105–277, § 1223(7)1998—, substituted “Secretary of State” for “Director” and “section” for “subsection”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1998 Amendment

Pub. L. 105–277section 1201 of Pub. L. 105–277section 6511 of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as an Effective Date note under .