(a) In general
If a Federal agency which has ownership of or the right of
ownership to an invention made by a Federal employee does not
intend to file for a patent application or otherwise to promote
commercialization of such invention, the agency shall allow the
inventor, if the inventor is a Government employee or former
employee who made the invention during the course of employment
with the Government, to obtain or retain title to the invention
(subject to reservation by the Government of a nonexclusive,
nontransferrable, irrevocable, paid-up license to practice the
invention or have the invention practiced throughout the world by
or on behalf of the Government). In addition, the agency may
condition the inventor's right to title on the timely filing of a
patent application in cases when the Government determines that it
has or may have a need to practice the invention.
(b) "Special Government employees" defined
For purposes of this section, Federal employees include "special
Government employees" as defined in section 202 of title 18.
(c) Relationship to other laws
Nothing in this section is intended to limit or diminish existing
authorities of any agency.
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