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H.R. 3773Became Law

Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986

(Conference report filed in House, H. Rept. 99-953)

Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986 - Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to authorize Federal agencies, subject to specified conditions, to permit the directors of their Government-operated Federal laboratories to: (1) enter into cooperative research and development agreements with other Federal agencies, State or local governments, industrial organizations, industrial development organizations, public and private foundations, nonprofit organizations including universities, licensees of Federal inventions, and other persons; and (2) negotiate patent licensing agreements. Authorizes Government-operated Federal laboratories, under such agreements and subject to specified conditions, to: (1) accept funds, services, and property from collaborating parties and provide services and property to collaborating parties; (2) grant patent licenses or assignments, or options, in any subject invention made by a Federal employee, or made jointly by a Federal employee and an employee of the collaborating party, and to retain such rights as the laboratory deems appropriate; (3) waive any right of ownership which the Federal Government may have to any subject invention made by a collaborating party or such party's employee under the agreement; and (4) to the extent consistent with applicable agency requirements, permit employees or former employees of the laboratory to participate in efforts to commercialize inventions they made while in the service of the United States.

Sets forth contract considerations.

Requires Federal agencies to make separate determinations of the missions of each of their laboratories, for purposes of cooperative research and development agreements.

Establishes the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer. Sets forth Consortium duties relating to the commercial potential of new technologies generated by Federal laboratory research. Includes among such duties assisting colleges, universities, businesses, nonprofit organizations, State or local governments, or regional organizations to establish cooperative programs to stimulate research and encourage technology transfer in such areas as technology program development, curriculum design, long-term research planning, personnel needs projections, and productivity assessments.

Directs the Consortium to furnish information and provide technical assistance, but prohibits the Consortium from engaging in the direct transfer of technology. Provides that each Federal laboratory or agency shall transfer technology directly to users or representatives of users, but not to the Consortium.

Requires the Director of the National Bureau of Standards to provide the Consortium with administrative services on a reimbursable basis.

Requires the Chairman of the Consortium to report annually to the President and to the appropriate authorization and appropriation committees of the Congress on the Consortium and other specified activities.

Requires, for FY 1987 through 1991, Federal agencies to transfer a specified portion of the research and development budget of their laboratories to the National Bureau of Standards for use by the Consortium in carrying out its activities.

Directs the Consortium to use five percent of such funds to establish demonstration projects in technology transfer.

Makes technology transfer, consistent with mission responsibilities, the responsibility of each Federal laboratory science and engineering professional. Requires each Federal laboratory director to ensure that efforts to transfer technology are considered positively in laboratory job descriptions, employee promotion policies, and evaluation of the job performance of scientists and engineers in the laboratory.

Requires each Federal laboratory with 200 or more full-time scientific and engineering professionals to have at least one full-time equivalent technology transfer position as staff for its Office of Research and Technology Applications. Requires that individuals filling such positions be included in the overall laboratory/agency management program so as to ensure that highly competent technical managers are full participants in the technology transfer process.

Abolishes the Center for the Utilization of Federal Technology and transfers its functions to the National Technical Information Service (NTIS).

Requires Federal agencies to report annually on technology transfer efforts in their annual budget submission to the Congress.

Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) make available to interested agencies the expertise of the Department of Commerce regarding the commercial potential of inventions and methods and options for commercialization which are available to the Federal laboratories, including research and development limited partnerships; (2) develop model provisions for use on a voluntary basis in cooperative research and development arrangements, and disseminate such provisions to appropriate agency and laboratory personnel; and (3) furnish advice and assistance to Federal agencies concerning their cooperative research and development efforts.

Directs the Secretary to report biennially to the President and the Congress on the use by the agencies and the Secretary of the authorities specified in the Act.

Directs the Secretary, within one year after the enactment of this Act, to report to the President and the Congress on: (1) any copyright provisions or legal or other barriers which restrict or limit the transfer of federally funded computer software to the private sector and to State and local governments and their agencies; and (2) the feasibility and cost of compiling and maintaining a current and comprehensive inventory of all federally funded training software.

Requires Federal agencies which expend certain amounts for research and development to establish cash awards programs to reward their scientific, engineering, and technical personnel for inventions or other exemplary activities relating to domestic technology transfer.

Sets forth rules and formulas for the distribution of royalties or other income received by Federal agencies from the licensing or assignment of inventions under such agreements under this Act, and from inventions of Government-operated Federal laboratories licensed under provisions of Federal law relating to domestic and foreign protection of federally owned inventions, or owned inventions, or under any other provision law. Requires Federal agencies to submit annually to the appropriate authorization and appropriation committees of the Congress summaries of the amount of royalties or other income received and expenditures made (including inventor awards) under such rules and formulas.

Authorizes Federal agencies to transfer rights of ownership to an invention under the Act to the employee inventor, subject to specified conditions.

Abolishes the National Industrial Technology Board.

Changes references to the Director of the Office of Industrial Technology to the Assistant Secretary for Productivity, Technology, and Innovation.

Renames the Centers for Industrial Technology as Cooperative Research Centers.

Became Public Law No: 99-502.

Rep. Fuqua, Don [D-FL-2](D-FL)Sponsor
13 cosponsors7 D6 R
13cosponsors3committees48actions6amendments2related bills41subjects
  • Public LawOct 21, 1986
  1. PresidentE40000

    Became Public Law No: 99-502.

  2. BecameLaw36000

    Became Public Law No: 99-502.

  3. PresidentE30000

    Signed by President.

  4. BecameLaw36000

    Signed by President.

  5. FloorE20000

    Presented to President.

  6. President28000

    Presented to President.

  7. Floor

    Measure Signed in Senate.

  8. ResolvingDifferencesH42510

    House Agreed to Conference Report by Voice Vote.

  9. ResolvingDifferences21000

    Conference report agreed to in House: House Agreed to Conference Report by Voice Vote.

  10. ResolvingDifferences

    Senate agreed to conference report by Voice Vote.

  11. ResolvingDifferences23000

    Conference report agreed to in Senate: Senate agreed to conference report by Voice Vote.

  12. ResolvingDifferences

    Conference papers, Senate report and managers' statement held at the desk.

  13. ResolvingDifferencesH25200

    Conference Report 99-953 Filed in House.

  14. ResolvingDifferences20900

    Conference report filed: Conference Report 99-953 Filed in House.

  15. ResolvingDifferences

    Conferees agreed to file conference report.

  16. ResolvingDifferences20800

    Conference committee actions: Conferees agreed to file conference report.

  17. ResolvingDifferences

    Senate agreed to request for conference. Appointed conferees. Danforth; Gorton; Pressler; Hollings; Riegle.

  18. Floor

    Senate insists on its amendments by Voice Vote.

  19. Floor

    Message on House action received in Senate and held at desk: House requests a conference.

  20. ResolvingDifferencesH41800

    House Requested a Conference and Speaker Appointed Conferees: Fuqua, Walgren, Lundine, Lujan, Boehlert.

  21. ResolvingDifferencesH41610

    House Disagreed to Senate Amendments by Unanimous Consent.

  22. NotUsed19500

    Resolving differences -- House actions: House Disagreed to Senate Amendments by Unanimous Consent.

  23. Floor

    Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.

  24. Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.

  25. Floor

    Committee substitute as amendmed agreed to by Voice Vote.

  26. Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.

  27. Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 662.

  28. Discharge

    Senate Committee on Judiciary discharged.

    Judiciary Committee
  29. Committee14500

    Senate Committee on Judiciary discharged.

    Judiciary Committee
  30. Committee

    Referred to Subcommittee on Patents, Copyrights and Trademarks.

    Intellectual Property Subcommittee
  31. IntroReferral

    Referred to the Committee on Judiciary pursuant to the order of March 20, 1986, for a period of not to exceed beyond 30 calendar days for the purpose of considering sections 4, 5, 6, and 7.

    Judiciary Committee
  32. Committee

    Committee on Commerce. Reported to Senate by Senator Danforth with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 99-283.

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  33. Committee14000

    Committee on Commerce. Reported to Senate by Senator Danforth with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 99-283.

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  34. Floor

    Ordered, that when reported, the bill be referred to the Committee on Judiciary for a period not to exceed 30 calendar days for the consideration of sections 4, 5, 6, and 7.

  35. Committee

    Committee on Commerce. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  36. IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  37. FloorH37100

    Passed House (Amended) by Yea-Nay Vote: 386 - 0 (Record Vote No: 439).

  38. Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: Passed House (Amended) by Yea-Nay Vote: 386 - 0 (Record Vote No: 439).

  39. FloorH30000

    Called up by House Under Suspension of Rules.

  40. CalendarsH12410

    Placed on Union Calendar No: 243.

  41. CommitteeH12200

    Reported to House (Amended) by House Committee on Science and Technology. Report No: 99-415.

    Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  42. Committee5000

    Reported to House (Amended) by House Committee on Science and Technology. Report No: 99-415.

    Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  43. CommitteeH19000

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended).

    Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  44. CommitteeH15000-B

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  45. CommitteeH19100

    For Previous Action See H.R.1572.

    Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  46. IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to House Committee on Science and Technology.

    Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  47. IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  48. IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Oct 2, 198648
(Conference report filed in House, H. Rept. 99-953)

Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986 - Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to authorize Federal agencies, subject to specified conditions, to permit the directors of their Government-operated Federal laboratories to: (1) enter into cooperative research and development agreements with other Federal agencies, State or local governments, industrial organizations, industrial development organizations, public and private foundations, nonprofit organizations including universities, licensees of Federal inventions, and other persons; and (2) negotiate patent licensing agreements. Authorizes Government-operated Federal laboratories, under such agreements and subject to specified conditions, to: (1) accept funds, services, and property from collaborating parties and provide services and property to collaborating parties; (2) grant patent licenses or assignments, or options, in any subject invention made by a Federal employee, or made jointly by a Federal employee and an employee of the collaborating party, and to retain such rights as the laboratory deems appropriate; (3) waive any right of ownership which the Federal Government may have to any subject invention made by a collaborating party or such party's employee under the agreement; and (4) to the extent consistent with applicable agency requirements, permit employees or former employees of the laboratory to participate in efforts to commercialize inventions they made while in the service of the United States.

Sets forth contract considerations.

Requires Federal agencies to make separate determinations of the missions of each of their laboratories, for purposes of cooperative research and development agreements.

Establishes the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer. Sets forth Consortium duties relating to the commercial potential of new technologies generated by Federal laboratory research. Includes among such duties assisting colleges, universities, businesses, nonprofit organizations, State or local governments, or regional organizations to establish cooperative programs to stimulate research and encourage technology transfer in such areas as technology program development, curriculum design, long-term research planning, personnel needs projections, and productivity assessments.

Directs the Consortium to furnish information and provide technical assistance, but prohibits the Consortium from engaging in the direct transfer of technology. Provides that each Federal laboratory or agency shall transfer technology directly to users or representatives of users, but not to the Consortium.

Requires the Director of the National Bureau of Standards to provide the Consortium with administrative services on a reimbursable basis.

Requires the Chairman of the Consortium to report annually to the President and to the appropriate authorization and appropriation committees of the Congress on the Consortium and other specified activities.

Requires, for FY 1987 through 1991, Federal agencies to transfer a specified portion of the research and development budget of their laboratories to the National Bureau of Standards for use by the Consortium in carrying out its activities.

Directs the Consortium to use five percent of such funds to establish demonstration projects in technology transfer.

Makes technology transfer, consistent with mission responsibilities, the responsibility of each Federal laboratory science and engineering professional. Requires each Federal laboratory director to ensure that efforts to transfer technology are considered positively in laboratory job descriptions, employee promotion policies, and evaluation of the job performance of scientists and engineers in the laboratory.

Requires each Federal laboratory with 200 or more full-time scientific and engineering professionals to have at least one full-time equivalent technology transfer position as staff for its Office of Research and Technology Applications. Requires that individuals filling such positions be included in the overall laboratory/agency management program so as to ensure that highly competent technical managers are full participants in the technology transfer process.

Abolishes the Center for the Utilization of Federal Technology and transfers its functions to the National Technical Information Service (NTIS).

Requires Federal agencies to report annually on technology transfer efforts in their annual budget submission to the Congress.

Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) make available to interested agencies the expertise of the Department of Commerce regarding the commercial potential of inventions and methods and options for commercialization which are available to the Federal laboratories, including research and development limited partnerships; (2) develop model provisions for use on a voluntary basis in cooperative research and development arrangements, and disseminate such provisions to appropriate agency and laboratory personnel; and (3) furnish advice and assistance to Federal agencies concerning their cooperative research and development efforts.

Directs the Secretary to report biennially to the President and the Congress on the use by the agencies and the Secretary of the authorities specified in the Act.

Directs the Secretary, within one year after the enactment of this Act, to report to the President and the Congress on: (1) any copyright provisions or legal or other barriers which restrict or limit the transfer of federally funded computer software to the private sector and to State and local governments and their agencies; and (2) the feasibility and cost of compiling and maintaining a current and comprehensive inventory of all federally funded training software.

Requires Federal agencies which expend certain amounts for research and development to establish cash awards programs to reward their scientific, engineering, and technical personnel for inventions or other exemplary activities relating to domestic technology transfer.

Sets forth rules and formulas for the distribution of royalties or other income received by Federal agencies from the licensing or assignment of inventions under such agreements under this Act, and from inventions of Government-operated Federal laboratories licensed under provisions of Federal law relating to domestic and foreign protection of federally owned inventions, or owned inventions, or under any other provision law. Requires Federal agencies to submit annually to the appropriate authorization and appropriation committees of the Congress summaries of the amount of royalties or other income received and expenditures made (including inventor awards) under such rules and formulas.

Authorizes Federal agencies to transfer rights of ownership to an invention under the Act to the employee inventor, subject to specified conditions.

Abolishes the National Industrial Technology Board.

Changes references to the Director of the Office of Industrial Technology to the Assistant Secretary for Productivity, Technology, and Innovation.

Renames the Centers for Industrial Technology as Cooperative Research Centers.

Aug 9, 198635
(Measure passed Senate, amended)

Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986 - Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to require each Federal laboratory director to ensure that efforts to transfer technology are considered positively in laboratory job descriptions, employee promotion policies, and evaluation of the job performance of scientists and engineers in the laboratory.

Requires each Federal laboratory with 200 or more full-time scientific and engineering professionals to have at least one full-time equivalent technology transfer position as staff for its Office of Research and Technology Applications.

Revises the functions of each Office of Research and Technology Applications. Requires each such Office to participate, where feasible, in regional, State, and local government programs designed to facilitate or stimulate the transfer of technology for the benefit of the region, State, or local jurisdiction in which the Federal laboratory is located.

Abolishes the Center for the Utilization of Federal Technology and transfers its functions to the National Technical Information Service (NTIS). Makes the Secretary of Commerce, rather than the Center, the recipient of certain biannual reports on technology transfer.

Establishes the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer. Sets forth Consortium duties relating to the commercial potential of new technologies generated by Federal laboratory research. Includes among such duties assisting colleges, universities, businesses, nonprofit organizations, State or local governments, or regional organizations to establish cooperative programs to stimulate research and encourage technology transfer in such areas as technology program development, curriculum design, long-term research planning, personnel needs projections, and productivity assessments.

Directs the Consortium to furnish information and provide technical assistance, but prohibits the Consortium from engaging in the direct transfer of technology. Provides that each Federal laboratory or agency shall transfer technology directly to users or representatives of users, but not to the Consortium.

Requires the Director of the National Bureau of Standards to provide the Consortium with administrative services on a reimbursable basis.

Requires the Chairman of the Consortium to report annually to the President and to the appropriate authorization and appropriation committees of the Congress on the Consortium and other specified activities.

Requires, for FY 1987 through 1991, Federal agencies to transfer a specified portion of the research and development budget of their laboratories to the National Bureau of Standards for use by the Consortium in carrying out its activities.

Directs the Consortium to use ten percent of such funds to establish demonstration projects in technology transfer.

Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) make available to interested agencies the expertise of the Department of Commerce regarding the commercial potential of inventions and methods and options for commercialization which are available to the Federal laboratories, including research and development limited partnerships; (2) develop model provisions for use on a voluntary basis in cooperative research and development arrangements, and disseminate such provisions to appropriate agency and laboratory personnel; and (3) furnish advice and assistance to Federal agencies concerning their cooperative research and development efforts.

Directs the Secretary to report biennially to the President and the Congress on the use by the agencies and the Secretary of the authorities specified in the Act.

Directs the Secretary, within one year after the enactment of this Act, to report to the President and the Congress on: (1) any copyright provisions or legal or other barriers which restrict or limit the transfer of federally funded computer software to the private sector and to State and local governments and their agencies; and (2) the feasibility and cost of compiling and maintaining a current and comprehensive inventory of all federally funded training software.

Authorizes Federal agencies, subject to specified conditions, to permit the directors of their Government-operated Federal laboratories to: (1) enter into cooperative research and development agreements with other Federal agencies, State or local governments, industrial organizations, industrial development organizations, public and private foundations, nonprofit organizations including universities, licensees of Federal inventions, and other persons; and (2) negotiate patent licensing agreements. Authorizes Government-operated Federal laboratories, under such agreements and subject to specified conditions, to: (1) accept funds, services, and property from collaborating parties and provide services and property to collaborating parties; (2) grant patent licenses or assignments, or options, in any subject invention made by a Federal employee, or made jointly by a Federal employee and an employee of the collaborating party, and to retain such rights as the laboratory deems appropriate; (3) waive any right of ownership which the Federal Government may have to any subject invention made by a collaborating party or such party's employee under the agreement; (4) in the case of any industrial organization or other person subject to the control of a foreign company or government, take into consideration whether or not such foreign government permits U.S. agencies, organizations, or other persons to enter into cooperative research and development arrangements and licensing agreements; and (5) to the extent consistent with applicable agency requirements, permit employees or former employees of the laboratory to participate in efforts to commercialize inventions they made while in the service of the United States.

Requires Federal agencies to make separate determinations of the missions of each of their laboratories, for purposes of cooperative research and development agreements.

Requires Federal agencies which expend certain amounts for research and development to establish cash awards programs to reward their scientific, engineering, and technical personnel for inventions or other exemplary activities relating to domestic technology transfer.

Sets forth rules and formulas for the distribution of royalties or other income received by Federal agencies from the licensing or assignment of inventions under such agreements under this Act, and from inventions of Government-operated Federal laboratories licensed under provisions of Federal law relating to domestic and foreign protection of federally owned inventions, or under any other provision of law. Requires Federal agencies to submit annually to the appropriate authorization and appropriation committees of the Congress summaries of the amount of royalties or other income received and expenditures made (including inventor awards) under such rules and formulas.

Requires Federal agencies to transfer rights of ownership to an invention under the Act to the employee inventor, subject to specified conditions.

Abolishes the National Industrial Technology Board.

Changes references to the Director of the Office of Industrial Technology to the Assistant Secretary for Productivity, Technology, and Innovation.

Renames the Centers for Industrial Technology as Cooperative Research Centers.

Provides for encouragement and assistance in the creation of centers and other joint initiatives by State or local governments, regional organizations, private businesses, institutions, or Federal laboratories to encourage technology transfer, stimulate innovation, and promote an appropriate climate for investment in technology-related industries. Provides for encouragement of cooperative research among the Federal laboratories, State or local governments, regional organizations, colleges or universities, nonprofit organizations, or private industry to promote the common use of resources, improve training programs and curricula, stimulate interest in high technology careers, and encourage the effective dissemination of technology skills within the wider community.

Provides that transfer of technology under the Act includes inventions, computer software, and training technologies.

Apr 21, 198601
(Reported to Senate from the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation with amendment, S. Rept. 99-283)

Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986 - Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to require each Federal laboratory director to ensure that efforts to transfer technology are considered positively in laboratory job descriptions, employee promotion policies, and evaluation of the job performance of scientists and engineers in the laboratory.

Requires each Federal laboratory with 200 or more full-time scientific and engineering professionals to have at least one full-time equivalent technology transfer position as staff for its Office of Research and Technology Applications.

Revises the functions of each Office of Research and Technology Applications. Requires each such Office to participate, where feasible, in regional, State, and local government programs designed to facilitate or stimulate the transfer of technology for the benefit of the region, State, or local jurisdiction in which the Federal laboratory is located.

Abolishes the Center for the Utilization of Federal Technology and transfers its functions to the National Technical Information Service (NTIS). Makes the Secretary of Commerce, rather than the Center, the recipient of certain biannual reports on technology transfer.

Establishes the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer. Sets forth Consortium duties relating to the commercial potential of new technologies generated by Federal laboratory research.

Requires the Director of the National Bureau of Standards to provide the Consortium with administrative services on a reimbursable basis.

Requires the Chairman of the Consortium to report annually to the President and to the appropriate authorization and appropriation committees of the Congress on the Consortium and other specified activities.

Requires, for FY 1987 through 1991, Federal agencies to transfer a specified portion of the research and development budget of their laboratories to the National Bureau of Standards for use by the Consortium in carrying out its activities.

Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) make available to interested agencies the expertise of the Department of Commerce regarding the commercial potential of inventions and methods and options for commercialization which are available to the Federal laboratories, including research and development limited partnerships; (2) develop model provisions for use on a voluntary basis in cooperative research and development arrangements, and disseminate such provisions to appropriate agency and laboratory personnel; and (3) furnish advice and assistance to Federal agencies concerning their cooperative research and development efforts.

Directs the Secretary to report biennially to the President and the Congress on the use by the agencies and the Secretary of the authorities specified in the Act.

Authorizes Federal agencies, subject to specified conditions, to permit the directors of their Government-operated Federal laboratories to: (1) enter into cooperative research and development agreements with other Federal agencies, State or local governments, industrial organizations, industrial development organizations, public and private foundations, nonprofit organizations including universities, licensees of Federal inventions, and other persons; and (2) negotiate patent licensing agreements. Authorizes Government-operated Federal laboratories, under such agreements and subject to specified conditions, to: (1) accept funds, services, and property from collaborating parties and provide services and property to collaborating parties; (2) grant patent licenses or assignments, or options, in any subject invention made by a Federal employee, or made jointly by a Federal employee and an employee of the collaborating party, and to retain such rights as the laboratory deems appropriate; (3) waive any right of ownership which the Federal Government may have to any subject invention made by a collaborating party or such party's employee under the agreement; and (4) to the extent consistent with applicable agency requirements, permit employees or former employees of the laboratory to participate in efforts to commercialize inventions they made while in the service of the United States.

Requires Federal agencies which expend certain amounts for research and development to establish cash awards programs to reward their scientific, engineering, and technical personnel for inventions or other exemplary activities relating to domestic technology transfer.

Sets forth rules and formulas for the distribution of royalties or other income received by Federal agencies from the licensing or assignment of inventions under such agreements under this Act, and from inventions of Government-operated Federal laboratories licensed under provisions of Federal law relating to domestic and foreign protection of federally owned inventions, or under any other provision of law. Requires Federal agencies to submit annually to the appropriate authorization and appropriation committees of the Congress summaries of the amount of royalties or other income received and expenditures made (including inventor awards) under such rules and formulas.

Authorizes Federal agencies to transfer rights of ownership to an invention under the Act to the employee inventor, subject to specified conditions.

Abolishes the National Industrial Technology Board.

Changes references to the Director of the Office of Industrial Technology to the Assistant Secretary for Productivity, Technology, and Innovation.

Renames the Centers for Industrial Technology as Cooperative Research Centers.

Dec 9, 198536
(Measure passed House, amended, roll call #439 (386-0))

Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1985 - Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to authorize Federal agencies, subject to specified conditions, to permit the directors of their Government-operated Federal laboratories to: (1) enter into cooperative research and development agreements with other Federal agencies, State or local governments, industrial organizations, industrial development organizations, public and private foundations, nonprofit organizations including universities, licensees of Federal inventions, and other persons; and (2) negotiate patent licensing agreements. Authorizes Government-operated Federal laboratories, under such agreements and subject to specified conditions, to: (1) grant patent licenses or assignments, or options, in any subject invention made by a Federal employee, or made jointly by a Federal employee and an employee of the collaborating party, and to retain such rights as the laboratory deems appropriate; and (2) waive in advance any right of ownership which the Federal Government may have to any subject invention made by a collaborating party or such party's employee under the agreement.

Requires Federal agencies to establish certain plans to be followed in entering into such agreements.

Requires, within 180 days after the election by a Federal agency to implement such an agreement, such Federal agency to draft or modify revised regulations or instructions for its cooperative research and development program. Sets forth guidelines for such revised regulations or instructions.

Directs each agency to maintain a record of all such agreements.

Establishes the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer in the National Science Foundation. Requires the Director of the Foundation to appoint an individual to manage the Consortium and authorizes such individual to appoint Consortium employees.

Sets forth Consortium duties (including the appointment of regional advisory committees) relating to the commercial potential of new technologies generated by Federal laboratory research.

Requires the Chairman of the Consortium to report annually to the President and to the appropriate authorization and appropriation committees of the Congress on the Consortium and other specified activities.

Requires, for FY 1987 through 1991, Federal agencies to transfer a specified portion of the research and development budget of their laboratories to the Foundation for use by the Consortium in carrying out its activities.

Makes technology transfer, consistent with mission responsibilities, the responsibility of each Federal laboratory science and engineering professional. Requires each Federal laboratory director to ensure that efforts to transfer technology are considered positively in laboratory job descriptions, employee promotion policies, and evaluation of the job performance of scientists and engineers in the laboratory.

Requires each Federal laboratory with 200 or more full-time scientific and engineering professionals to have at least one full-time equivalent technology transfer position as staff for its Office of Research and Technology Applications. Requires that individuals filling such positions be included in the overall laboratory/agency management program so as to ensure that highly competent technical managers are full participants in the technology transfer process.

Abolishes the Center for the Utilization of Federal Technology and transfers its functions to the National Technical Information Service (NTIS).

Requires Federal agencies to report annually on technology transfer efforts in their annual budget submissions to the Congress.

Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) make available to interested agencies the expertise of the Department of Commerce regarding the commercial potential of inventions and methods and options for commercialization which are available to the Federal laboratories, including research and development limited partnerships; (2) develop model provisions for use on a voluntary basis in cooperative research and development arrangements, and disseminate such provisions to appropriate agency and laboratory personnel; and (3) furnish advice and assistance to Federal agencies concerning their cooperative research and development efforts.

Requires Federal agencies which expend certain amounts for research and development to establish cash awards programs to reward their scientific, engineering, and technical personnel for inventions or other exemplary activities relating to domestic technology transfer.

Sets forth rules and formulas for the distribution of royalties or other income received by Federal agencies from the licensing or assignment of inventions under such agreements under this Act, and from inventions of Government-operated Federal laboratories licensed under provisions of Federal law relating to domestic and foreign protection of federally owned inventions, or under any other provision of law. Requires Federal agencies to submit annually to the appropriate authorization and appropriation committees of the Congress summaries of the amount of royalties or other income received and expenditures made (including inventor awards) under such rules and formulas.

Renames the Centers for Industrial Technology as Cooperative Research Centers.

Dec 5, 198517
(Reported to House from the Committee on Science and Technology with amendment, H. Rept. 99-415)

Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1985 - Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to authorize Federal agencies, subject to specified conditions, to permit the directors of their Government-operated Federal laboratories to: (1) enter into cooperative research and development agreements with other Federal agencies, State or local governments, industrial organizations, industrial development organizations, public and private foundations, nonprofit organizations including universities, licensees of Federal inventions, and other persons; and (2) negotiate patent licensing agreements. Authorizes Government-operated Federal laboratories, under such agreements and subject to specified conditions, to: (1) grant patent licenses or assignments, or options, in any subject invention made by a Federal employee, or made jointly by a Federal employee and an employee of the collaborating party, and to retain such rights as the laboratory deems appropriate; and (2) waive in advance any right of ownership which the Federal Government may have to any subject invention made by a collaborating party or such party's employee under the agreement.

Requires Federal agencies to establish certain plans to be followed in entering into such agreements.

Requires, within 180 days after the election by a Federal agency to implement such an agreement, such Federal agency to draft or modify revised regulations or instructions for its cooperative research and development program. Sets forth guidelines for such revised regulations or instructions.

Directs each agency to maintain a record of all such agreements.

Establishes the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer in the National Science Foundation. Requires the Director of the Foundation to appoint an individual to manage the Consortium and authorizes such individual to appoint Consortium employees.

Sets forth Consortium duties (including the appointment of regional advisory committees) relating to the commercial potential of new technologies generated by Federal laboratory research.

Requires the Chairman of the Consortium to report annually to the President and to the appropriate authorization and appropriation committees of the Congress on the Consortium and other specified activities.

Requires, for FY 1987 through 1991, Federal agencies to transfer a specified portion of the research and development budget of their laboratories to the Foundation for use by the Consortium in carrying out its activities.

Makes technology transfer, consistent with mission responsibilities, the responsibility of each Federal laboratory science and engineering professional. Requires each Federal laboratory director to ensure that efforts to transfer technology are considered positively in laboratory job descriptions, employee promotion policies, and evaluation of the job performance of scientists and engineers in the laboratory.

Requires each Federal laboratory with 200 or more full-time scientific and engineering professionals to have at least one full-time equivalent technology transfer position as staff for its Office of Research and Technology Applications. Requires that individuals filling such positions be included in the overall laboratory/agency management program so as to ensure that highly competent technical managers are full participants in the technology transfer process.

Abolishes the Center for the Utilization of Federal Technology and transfers its functions to the National Technical Information Service (NTIS).

Requires Federal agencies to report annually on technology transfer efforts in their annual budget submissions to the Congress.

Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) make available to interested agencies the expertise of the Department of Commerce regarding the commercial potential of inventions and methods and options for commercialization which are available to the Federal laboratories, including research and development limited partnerships; (2) develop model provisions for use on a voluntary basis in cooperative research and development arrangements, and disseminate such provisions to appropriate agency and laboratory personnel; and (3) furnish advice and assistance to Federal agencies concerning their cooperative research and development efforts.

Requires Federal agencies which expend certain amounts for research and development to establish cash awards programs to reward their scientific, engineering, and technical personnel for inventions or other exemplary activities relating to domestic technology transfer.

Sets forth rules and formulas for the distribution of royalties or other income received by Federal agencies from the licensing or assignment of inventions under such agreements under this Act, and from inventions of Government-operated Federal laboratories licensed under provisions of Federal law relating to domestic and foreign protection of federally owned inventions, or under any other provision of law. Requires Federal agencies to submit annually to the appropriate authorization and appropriation committees of the Congress summaries of the amount of royalties or other income received and expenditures made (including inventor awards) under such rules and formulas.

Renames the Centers for Industrial Technology as Cooperative Research Centers.

Nov 18, 198500

Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1985 - Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to authorize Federal agencies, subject to specified conditions, to permit the directors of their Government-operated Federal laboratories to: (1) enter into cooperative research and development agreements with other Federal agencies, State or local governments, industrial organizations, industrial development organizations, public and private foundations, nonprofit organizations (including universities), licensees of Federal inventions, and other persons; and (2) negotiate patent licensing agreements. Authorizes Government-operated Federal laboratories, under such agreements and subject to specified conditions, to: (1) grant patent licenses or assignments, or options, in any subject invention made by a Federal employee, or made jointly by a Federal employee and an employee of the collaborating party, and to retain such rights as the laboratory deems appropriate; and (2) waive in advance any right of ownership which the Federal Government may have to any subject invention made by a collaborating party or such party's employee under the agreement.

Requires Federal agencies to establish certain plans to be followed in entering into such agreements.

Requires, within 180 days after the enactment of this Act, each Federal agency to draft or modify revised regulations or instructions for its cooperative research and development program. Sets forth guidelines for such revised regulations or instructions.

Directs each agency to maintain a record of all such agreements.

Establishes the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer in the National Science Foundation. Requires the Director of the Foundation to appoint an individual to manage the Consortium and authorizes such individual to appoint Consortium employees.

Sets forth Consortium duties relating to the commercial potential of new technologies generated by Federal laboratory research.

Requires the Director of the Foundation to report annually to the President and to the appropriate authorization and appropriation committees of the Congress on the Consortium and other specified activities.

Requires, for FY 1987 through 1991, Federal agencies to transfer a specified portion of the research and development budget of their laboratories to the Foundation for use by the Consortium in carrying out its activities.

Makes technology transfer, consistent with mission responsibilities, the responsibility of each Federal laboratory science and engineering professional. Requires each Federal laboratory director to ensure that efforts to transfer technology are considered positively in laboratory job descriptions, employee promotion policies, and evaluation of the job performance of scientists and engineers in the laboratory.

Requires each Federal laboratory with 200 or more full-time scientific and engineering professionals to have at least one full-time equivalent technology transfer position.

Abolishes the Center for the Utilization of Federal Technology and transfers its functions to the National Technical Information Service (NTIS).

Requires Federal agencies to report annually on technology transfer efforts in their annual budget submissions to the Congress.

Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) make available to interested agencies the expertise of the Department of Commerce regarding the commercial potential of inventions and methods and options for commercialization which are available to the Federal laboratories, including research and development limited partnerships; (2) develop model provisions for use on a voluntary basis in cooperative research and development arrangements, and disseminate such provisions to appropriate agency and laboratory personnel; and (3) furnish advice and assistance to Federal agencies concerning their cooperative research and development efforts.

Requires Federal agencies which expend certain amounts for research and development to establish cash awards programs to reward their scientific, engineering, and technical personnel for inventions or other exemplary activities relating to domestic technology transfer.

Sets forth rules and formulas for the distribution of royalties or other income received by Federal agencies from the licensing or assignment of inventions under such agreements under this Act, and from inventions of Government-operated Federal laboratories licensed under provisions of Federal law relating to domestic and foreign protection of federally owned inventions, or under any other provisions of law. Requires Federal agencies to submit annually to the appropriate authorization and appropriation committees of the Congress summaries of the amount of royalties or other income received and expenditures made (including inventor awards) under such rules and formulas.

Renames the Centers for Industrial Technology as Cooperative Research Centers.