bayh–dole act
Bayh–Dole Act. Patents. A federal statute that permits the U.S. Government to take title to or require licensing of nongovernmental inventions made by small businesses and nonprofit organizations while participating in federally funded programs. • Under the Act, an entity funded by the federal government must timely disclose any invention made in the course of a federally funded program. The entity may elect to retain title and to file and prosecute a patent application covering the invention. If the entity retains title to the invention, the government may still “march in” to force the entity to grant exclusive or nonexclusive licenses in appropriate circumstances. The Act is codified in 35 USCA §§ 200–212. — Also termed Patent and Trademark Law Amendments Act. See MARCH-IN RIGHTS.
