ERDA patent rule said to hamper energy development

Journal Article · Mon Nov 08 04:00:00 EST 1976 · Energy User News; (United States)

OSTI ID:7231146

Frey, C

ERDA financing for energy products requires companies to release their own background patents that were developed under private financing. The aim is to avoid the risk of subsidizing private firms, but a bigger risk is that companies will not feel they can jeopardize their patent rights for a government contract. Some companies are avoiding ERDA contracts and developing private sources to finance energy research in order to protect patent portfolios and have a head start on marketing over their competition. Some companies go as far as establishing policies prohibiting government contracts. Companies with little or no experience in a field are often the only ones willing to take a government research project because they have nothing to lose. The result is that small companies unable to generate private funds and large companies unwilling to give up patent rights are avoiding needed energy research projects. Revisions to ERDA policy will probably not eliminate this clause even though it has never been needed in the history of government contracting. A new agreement has recently been tried, however, in which one company will repay the federal contribution for research from future product sales and will retain its background rights and patents. (DCK)

• OSTI ID: 7231146
• Journal Information: Energy User News; (United States), Journal Name: Energy User News; (United States) Vol. 1:6; ISSN EUSND
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
290500* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Research
Development
Demonstration
& Commercialization
DOCUMENT TYPES
ENERGY POLICY
FINANCIAL INCENTIVES
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INDUSTRY
LEGAL ASPECTS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
PATENTS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS