SUBCHAPTER III—OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO PROPRIETARY CONTRACTOR DATA AND RIGHTS IN TECHNICAL DATA
3791.
Management of intellectual property matters within the Department of Defense.
3793.
Copyrights, patents, designs, etc.; acquisition.
3794.
Release of technical data under Freedom of Information Act: recovery of costs.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2021—Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(b)(12)(A), (f)(6), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2134, 2139, made technical amendment to Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1833(n), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4233, which added this analysis, added "[Reserved]" for item 3792, and struck out former item 3792 "Technical data rights: non-FAR agreements".
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Technical Data Rights Under Non-FAR Agreements
Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title VIII, §822, Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4532, as amended by Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title X, §1075(e)(13), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4375, provided that:
"(a) Policy Guidance.—Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 14, 2008], the Secretary of Defense shall issue policy guidance with respect to rights in technical data under a non-FAR agreement. The guidance shall—
"(1) establish criteria for defining the legitimate interests of the United States and the party concerned in technical data pertaining to an item or process to be developed under the agreement;
"(2) require that specific rights in technical data be established during agreement negotiations and be based upon negotiations between the United States and the potential party to the agreement, except in any case in which the Secretary of Defense determines, on the basis of criteria established in such policy guidance, that the establishment of rights during or through agreement negotiations would not be practicable; and
"(3) require the program manager for a major weapon system or an item of personnel protective equipment that is to be developed using a non-FAR agreement to assess the long-term technical data needs of such system or item.
"(b) Requirement to Include Provisions in Non-FAR Agreements.—A non-FAR agreement shall contain appropriate provisions relating to rights in technical data consistent with the policy guidance issued pursuant to subsection (a).
"(c) Definitions.—In this section:
"(1) The term 'non-FAR agreement' means an agreement that is not subject to laws pursuant to which the Federal Acquisition Regulation is prescribed, including—
"(A) a transaction authorized under section 2371 of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 4021]; and
"(B) a cooperative research and development agreement.
"(2) The term 'party', with respect to a non-FAR agreement, means a non-Federal entity and includes any of the following:
"(A) A contractor and its subcontractors (at any tier).
"(B) A joint venture.
"(C) A consortium.
"(d) Report on Life Cycle Planning for Technical Data Needs.—Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 14, 2008], the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the implementation of the requirements in section 2320(e) of title 10, United States Code [see 10 U.S.C. 3774(a), (b)], for the assessment of long-term technical data needs to sustain major weapon systems. Such report shall include—
"(1) a description of all relevant guidance or policies issued;
"(2) a description of the extent to which program managers have received training to better assess the long-term technical data needs of major weapon systems and subsystems; and
"(3) a description of one or more examples, if any, where a priced contract option has been used on major weapon systems for the future delivery of technical data and one or more examples, if any, where all relevant technical data were acquired upon contract award."
§3791. Management of intellectual property matters within the Department of Defense
(a) Policy Required.—The Secretary of Defense, acting through the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, shall develop policy on the acquisition or licensing of intellectual property—
(1) to enable coordination and consistency across the military departments and the Department of Defense in strategies for acquiring or licensing intellectual property and communicating with industry;
(2) to ensure that program managers are aware of the rights afforded the Federal Government and contractors in intellectual property and that program managers fully consider and use all available techniques and best practices for acquiring or licensing intellectual property early in the acquisition process; and
(3) to encourage customized intellectual property strategies for each system based on, at a minimum, the unique characteristics of the system and its components, the product support strategy for the system, the organic industrial base strategy of the military department concerned, and the commercial market.
(b) Cadre of Intellectual Property Experts.—For a provision requiring establishment of a cadre of personnel who are experts in intellectual property matters, see section 1707 of this title.
(c) Guidelines and Resources.—
(1) In general.—The Secretary of Defense, acting through the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, shall develop guidelines and resources on the acquisition or licensing of intellectual property, including—
(A) intellectual property strategies and other mechanisms supporting the use of modular open system approaches (as defined in section 4401(b) of this title);
(B) evaluation and negotiation of intellectual property licenses in competitive and non-competitive awards;
(C) models and best practices for specially negotiated licenses, including specially negotiated licenses described in section 3774(c) of this title; and
(D) definitions, key terms, examples, and case studies that clarify differences between—
(i) detailed manufacturing and process data;
(ii) form, fit, and function data;
(iii) data required for operations, maintenance, installation, and training;
(iv) modular system interfaces (as defined in section 4401(b) of this title); and
(v) technical data pertaining to an interface between an item or process and other items or processes necessary for the segregation of an item or process from, or the reintegration of that item or process (or a functionally equivalent item or process) with, other items or processes.
(2) Guidelines and resources limit.—The guidelines and resources developed under paragraph (1) may not alter or affect any authority or duty under this section or section 1707 of this title.
(3) Review and consultation.—In developing the guidelines and resources described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall—
(A) review the applicable statutory and regulatory history, including among the definitions and key terms in section 3771 of this title, to ensure consistency; and
(B) regularly consult with appropriate government and industry persons and organizations.
(4) Training.—The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that the acquisition workforce receives training on the guidelines and resources developed under paragraph (1).
(Added and amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1833(n), (o)(1), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4234; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(b)(12)(A), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2134; Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title VIII, §841, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2716.)
Editorial Notes
Codification
The text of subsec. (a) of section 2322 of this title, which was transferred to this section by Pub. L. 116–283, §1833(o)(1), was based on Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title VIII, §802(a)(1), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1450.
Prior Provisions
Prior sections 3791 and 3792 were repealed by Pub. L. 96–513, title II, §213, title VII, §701, Dec. 12, 1980, 94 Stat. 2885, 2955, effective Sept. 15, 1981.
Section 3791, added Pub. L. 86–616, §3(a), July 12, 1960, 74 Stat. 388, authorized Secretary of the Army to convene at any time a board of general officers to review record of any commissioned officer on active list of Regular Army to determine whether he should be required, because of moral dereliction, professional dereliction, or because his retention is not clearly consistent with interests of national security, to show cause for his retention on active list. See section 1181(b) of this title.
Section 3792, added Pub. L. 86–616, §3(a), July 12, 1960, 74 Stat. 388, provided for boards of inquiry, composed of three or more general officers, to be convened at such places as Secretary of the Army prescribes, to receive evidence and make findings and recommendations whether an officer, required to show cause under section 3791 of this title, should be retained on active list of Regular Army. See section 1182 of this title.
Amendments
2022—Pub. L. 117–263, §841(1), substituted "Department of Defense" for "department of defense" in section catchline.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 117–263, §841(2), added subsec. (c).
2021—Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(b)(12)(A), which directed amendment of section 1833(n) of Pub. L. 116–283, which enacted this section, by substituting "DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE" for "DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE" in text of section catchline, could not be executed.
Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 116–283, §1833(o)(1), transferred subsec. (a) of section 2322 of this title to this section.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2021 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 117–81 applicable as if included in the enactment of title XVIII of Pub. L. 116–283 as enacted, see section 1701(a)(2) of Pub. L. 117–81, set out in a note preceding section 3001 of this title and Effective Date note below.
Effective Date
Section and amendment by Pub. L. 116–283 effective Jan. 1, 2022, with additional provisions for delayed implementation and applicability of existing law, see section 1801(d) of Pub. L. 116–283, set out as an Effective Date of 2021 Amendment note preceding section 3001 of this title.
Pilot Program for the Use of Innovative Intellectual Property Strategies
Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title VIII, §808, Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 319, provided that:
"(a) Establishment.—The Secretary of Defense shall establish a pilot program for the use of innovative intellectual property strategies that meet the criteria described in subsection (b) to acquire the necessary technical data rights required for the operation, maintenance, and installation of, and training for, covered programs designated under subsection (c).
"(b) Criteria for Strategies.—The innovative intellectual property strategies used in a pilot program established under this section may include the following:
"(1) The use of an escrow account to verify and hold intellectual property data.
"(2) The use of royalties or licenses.
"(3) Other strategies, as determined by the Secretary.
"(c) Designation of Covered Programs.—Not later than May 1, 2024, and with respect to the pilot program established under this section—
"(1) the Secretary of each military department shall designate one covered program within the military department under the jurisdiction of such Secretary; and
"(2) the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment shall designate one covered program within the Defense Agencies or Department of Defense Field Activities (as defined, respectively, in section 101 of title 10, United States Code).
"(d) Briefing Requirement.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 22, 2023], the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, in coordination with the Secretaries of the military departments, shall provide a briefing to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives with a detailed plan to implement the pilot program required under this section.
"(e) Annual Report.—Beginning on the date on which the first program is designated under subsection (c) and until the termination date in subsection (f), the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, in coordination with the Secretaries of the military departments, shall provide an annual report to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives on—
"(1) the effectiveness of the pilot program in acquiring the necessary technical data rights necessary to support timely, cost-effective maintenance and sustainment of the acquisition programs designated under subsection (c); and
"(2) any recommendations for the applicability of lessons learned from the pilot program.
"(f) Termination.—The authority to carry out the pilot program established under this section shall terminate on December 31, 2028.
"(g) Definitions.—In this section:
"(1) The term 'covered program' means an acquisition program under which procurements are conducted using a pathway of the adaptive acquisition framework (as described in Department of Defense Instruction 5000.02, 'Operation of the Adaptive Acquisition Framework').
"(2) The term 'technical data rights' has the meaning given in section 3771 of title 10, United States Code."
§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. 1041, 70A Stat. 137, §2386; Pub. L. 86–726, §3, Sept. 8, 1960, 74 Stat. 855; Pub. L. 103–355, title III, §3063, Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3337; Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title VIII, §813, Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 395; renumbered §3793, Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1833(o)(2), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4234; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(b)(12)(B), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2134.)
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
A prior section 3793, added Pub. L. 86–616, §3(a), July 12, 1960, 74 Stat. 389, 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 Pub. L. 96–513, title II, §213, title VII, §701, Dec. 12, 1980, 94 Stat. 2885, 2955, effective Sept. 15, 1981.
Amendments
2021—Pub. L. 116–283, §1833(o)(2), as amended by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(b)(12)(B), renumbered section 2386 of this title as this section.
1996—Par. (3). Pub. L. 104–106 amended par. (3) generally, substituting "Design and process data, technical data, and computer software" for "Technical data and computer software".
1994—Pars. (3), (4). Pub. L. 103–355 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."
1960—Pub. L. 86–726 inserted "or copyrights" after "patents" in cl. (4).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2021 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 117–81 applicable as if included in the enactment of title XVIII of Pub. L. 116–283 as enacted, see section 1701(a)(2) of Pub. L. 117–81, set out in a note preceding section 3001 of this title and note below.
Amendment by Pub. L. 116–283 effective Jan. 1, 2022, with additional provisions for delayed implementation and applicability of existing law, see section 1801(d) of Pub. L. 116–283, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.
§3794. Release of technical data under Freedom of Information Act: recovery of costs
(a) In General.—(1) The Secretary of Defense shall, if required to release technical data under section 552 of title 5 (relating to the Freedom of Information Act), release such technical data to the person requesting the release if the person pays all reasonable costs attributable to search, duplication, and review.
(2) The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe regulations, pursuant to notice and receipt of public comment, specifying a uniform schedule of fees under this section.
(b) Crediting of Receipts.—An amount received under this section—
(1) shall be retained by the Department of Defense or the element of the Department of Defense receiving the amount; and
(2) shall be merged with and available for the same purpose and the same time period as the appropriation from which the costs incurred in complying with requests for technical data were paid.
(c) Waiver.—The Secretary of Defense shall waive the payment of costs required by subsection (a) which are in an amount greater than the costs that would be required for such a release of information under section 552 of title 5 if—
(1) the request is made by a citizen of the United States or a United States corporation, and such citizen or corporation certifies that the technical data requested is required to enable such citizen or corporation to submit an offer or determine whether it is capable of submitting an offer to provide the product to which the technical data relates to the United States or a contractor with the United States (except that the Secretary may require the citizen or corporation to pay a deposit in an amount equal to not more than the cost of complying with the request, to be refunded upon submission of an offer by the citizen or corporation);
(2) the release of technical data is requested in order to comply with the terms of an international agreement; or
(3) the Secretary determines, in accordance with section 552(a)(4)(A)(iii) of title 5, that such a waiver is in the interests of the United States.
(Added Pub. L. 99–500, §101(c) [title X, §954(a)(1)], Oct. 18, 1986, 100 Stat. 1783–82, 1783-172, and Pub. L. 99–591, §101(c) [title X, §954(a)(1)], Oct. 30, 1986, 100 Stat. 3341–82, 3341-172, §2328; Pub. L. 99–661, div. A, title IX, formerly title IV, §954(a)(1), Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3952, renumbered title IX, Pub. L. 100–26, §3(5), Apr. 21, 1987, 101 Stat. 273; amended Pub. L. 100–26, §7(a)(7)(A), (B)(i), Apr. 21, 1987, 101 Stat. 278; renumbered §3794, Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1833(o)(2), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4234; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(b)(12)(B), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2134.)
Editorial Notes
Codification
Pub. L. 99–591 is a corrected version of Pub. L. 99–500.
Pub. L. 99–500, Pub. L. 99–591, and Pub. L. 99–661 added identical sections.
Prior Provisions
Prior sections 3794 to 3797 were repealed by Pub. L. 96–513, title II, §213, title VII, §701, Dec. 12, 1980, 94 Stat. 2885, 2955, effective Sept. 15, 1981.
Section 3794, added Pub. L. 86–616, §3(a), July 12, 1960, 74 Stat. 389, authorized Secretary of the Army to remove an officer from active list of Regular Army if his removal is recommended by a board of review and provided that decision of Secretary in such a case is final and conclusive. See section 1184 of this title.
Section 3795, added Pub. L. 86–616, §3(a), July 12, 1960, 74 Stat. 389, provided that each officer under consideration for removal from active list of Regular Army under this chapter be given written notification, at least 30 days prior to a board of inquiry hearing, that he is being required to show cause for retention on active list, be allowed reasonable time to prepare a defense, be allowed to appear in person and by counsel at proceedings before board of inquiry, and be allowed full access to, and furnished copies of, records relevant to his case at all stages of proceedings, except records that Secretary determines be withheld in interests of national security, in which case, a summary, to extent national security permits, be furnished. See section 1185 of this title.
Section 3796, added Pub. L. 86–616, §3(a), July 12, 1960, 74 Stat. 389, authorized Secretary of the Army, at any time during proceedings under this chapter and before removal of an officer from active list of Regular Army, to grant that officer's request for voluntary retirement, if he is otherwise qualified therefor, or for honorable discharge with severance benefits. See section 1186 of this title.
Section 3797, added Pub. L. 86–616, §3(a), July 12, 1960, 74 Stat. 390, provided that no officer serve on a board under this chapter unless he holds a regular or temporary grade above lieutenant colonel, and is senior in regular grade to, and outranks, any officer considered by that board and that no person be a member of more than one board convened under this chapter for same officer. See section 1187 of this title.
Amendments
2021—Pub. L. 116–283, §1833(o)(2), as amended by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(b)(12)(B), renumbered section 2328 of this title as this section.
1987—Pub. L. 100–26, §7(a)(7)(B)(i), substituted "Release of technical data under Freedom of Information Act: recovery of costs" for "Release of technical data" in section catchline.
Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 100–26, §7(a)(7)(A)(i)(I), substituted "such technical data to the person requesting the" for "technical data to a person requesting such a".
Pub. L. 100–26, §7(a)(7)(A)(i)(II), substituted "search, duplication, and review" for "search and duplication".
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100–26, §7(a)(7)(A)(ii), substituted "Crediting of receipts" for "Disposition of costs" in heading.
Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 100–26, §7(a)(7)(A)(iii), substituted "section 552(a)(4)(A)(iii)" for "section 552(a)(4)(A)".
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2021 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 117–81 applicable as if included in the enactment of title XVIII of Pub. L. 116–283 as enacted, see section 1701(a)(2) of Pub. L. 117–81, set out in a note preceding section 3001 of this title and Effective Date note below.
Amendment by Pub. L. 116–283 effective Jan. 1, 2022, with additional provisions for delayed implementation and applicability of existing law, see section 1801(d) of Pub. L. 116–283, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Pub. L. 100–26, §12(d)(2), Apr. 21, 1987, 101 Stat. 289, provided that: "The amendment to section 2328 of such title [now 10 U.S.C. 3794] made by section 7(a)(7)(A)(i)(II) shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as provided in section 1804(b) of Public Law 99–570 [set out as an Effective Date of 1986 Amendment note under section 552 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees] for the amendment made by section 1803 of that Public Law to section 552a of title 5, United States Code [probably means amendment by section 1803 of Pub. L. 99–570 to section 552(a) of Title 5]."
Effective Date
Pub. L. 99–500, §101(c) [title X, §954(b)], Oct. 18, 1986, 100 Stat. 1783–82, 1783-173, Pub. L. 99–591, §101(c) [title X, §954(b)], Oct. 30, 1986, 100 Stat. 3341–82, 3341-173, and Pub. L. 99–661, div. A, title IX, formerly title IV, §954(b), Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3953, renumbered title IX by Pub. L. 100–26, §3(5), Apr. 21, 1987, 101 Stat. 273, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [enacting this section] shall take effect at the end of the 90-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 18, 1986]."