Notice: The uscode.house.gov website is currently operating in a temporary format. While the United States Code remains available from its authoritative source, some website features and functionality are temporarily unavailable.
The United States Code Online is current through Public Law 119-120 (October 7, 2026).
Search & Browse Currency and Updating Classification Tables Popular Name Tool Positive Law Codification Editorial Reclassification Downloads
35 U.S.C. 208: Regulations governing Federal licensingText contains those laws in effect through Public Law 119-120 (October 7, 2026).
From Title 35-PATENTSCHAPTER 18-PATENT RIGHTS IN INVENTIONS MADE WITH FEDERAL ASSISTANCE
Jump To: Source CreditEditorial NotesAmendmentsStatutory Notes and Related SubsidiariesEffective Date

§208. Regulations governing Federal licensing

The Secretary of Commerce is authorized to promulgate regulations specifying the terms and conditions upon which any federally owned invention, other than inventions owned by the Tennessee Valley Authority, may be licensed on a nonexclusive, partially exclusive, or exclusive basis.

(Added Pub. L. 96–517, § 6(a) , Dec. 12, 1980 , 94 Stat. 3024 ; amended Pub. L. 98–620, title V, § 501(12) , Nov. 8, 1984 , 98 Stat. 3367 .)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1984⁠—Pub. L. 98–620 substituted “Secretary of Commerce” for “Administrator of General Services”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective July 1, 1981, but implementing regulations authorized to be issued earlier, see section 8(f) of Pub. L. 96–517, set out as an Effective Date of 1980 Amendment note under section 41 of this title.