Subpart 1427.3 - Patent Rights Under Government Contracts.

(a) The HCA is authorized to make the determination to sublicense foreign governments or international organizations, as prescribed in FAR 27.303(b)(3).

(b) If one of the exceptions in FAR 27.303(e)

(1) is used, then insert clause 1452.227-70, Appeals of Use of Exceptions. The exception in FAR 27.303(e)(1)(ii) to use alternative provisions restricting or eliminating a contractor's right to retain title to any subject invention shall be made by the HCA, after consultation with the Assistant Solicitor for Acquisitions and Intellectual Property.

(c) Within 30 days after contract award the CO shall forward copies of determinations to use exceptions under FAR 27.303(e)

(1) shall be forwarded to the Assistant Solicitor for Acquisitions and Intellectual Property for submission to the Secretary of Commerce and, if required, to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration. The determinations shall include all supporting documentation.

(a)

(1) Exceptions. The Associate Solicitor for the General Law Division shall issue a decision on the appeal of a small business concern or nonprofit organization of the use of exceptions under FAR 27.303(e)(1).

(2) If the Associate Solicitor for the General Law Division determines that the appeal notice raises a genuine dispute over the material facts, a fact-finding hearing shall be conducted by OHA. The hearing shall be conducted at a location convenient to the parties concerned as determined by the Director, OHA, and on a date and time stated. The contractor may be represented by counsel or any duly authorized representative. Witnesses may be called by either party. The proceedings shall be conducted expeditiously and in such a manner that each party will have a full opportunity to present all information considered pertinent to the determination. A transcribed record of the proceedings shall be made and shall be made available at cost to the contractor upon request, unless the requirement for the transcribed record is waived by mutual agreement of the contractor and OHA.

(3) OHA shall prepare written findings of fact and transmit them to the Associate Solicitor for the General Law Division.

(4) OHA may hear oral arguments after fact-finding provided that the contractor, its counsel or other duly authorized representative, is present in order to have the opportunity to make arguments and rebuttal. The Associate Solicitor for the General Law Division shall issue a decision.

(b) Greater rights determinations. Determinations on requests for greater rights in subject inventions by contractors shall be made by the HCA after consultation with the Assistant Solicitor for Acquisitions and Intellectual Property. Appeals of such determinations shall be made to the CBCA.

(c) Exercise of march-in-rights. After notification to the contractor of information warranting the exercise of march-in rights, the CO shall prepare a written notice to the contractor after consultation with the Assistant Solicitor for Acquisitions and Intellectual Property. The notice shall be prepared and signed by the Associate Solicitor for the General Law Division. Within the time constraints, if the Associate Solicitor for the General Law Division determines any information submitted by the contractor (assignee or exclusive licensee) after notice of march-in is received raises a genuine dispute over material facts, a fact-finding hearing shall be conducted by OHA. The Associate Solicitor for the General Law Division shall issue a final determination, after consideration of any further written or oral arguments from the parties. An unfavorable determination to a contractor (assignee or exclusive licensee) shall be subject to appeal.

(d) Licenses and assignments under contracts with nonprofit organizations. COs may approve contractor requests for assignment of rights or exclusive licenses after obtaining the advice of the Assistant Solicitor for Acquisitions and Intellectual Property. Solicitations containing FAR clause 52.227-11 shall state that contractors should forward such requests to the CO.

(a) The CO is authorized to make any of the determinations listed after consultation with the Assistant Solicitor for Acquisitions and Intellectual Property.

(b) Determinations made under paragraph (a) of this section shall be considered final decisions under the Contract Disputes Act and may be appealed to the CBCA in accordance with the procedures in DIAR Subpart 1433.2.

Any proposed determination to be made to require third party licensing shall be submitted by the HCA through the Assistant Solicitor for Acquisitions and Intellectual Property for signature of the AS/PMB. The contractor may request a public hearing on the record prior to the above determination. In such cases, the proposed determination and the contractor's request for a hearing shall be referred to OHA. OHA shall conduct public hearings as set forth in 1427.304-1(a)(4) and shall forward its findings and recommendations to the AS/PMB for a final determination. The final determination shall inform the contractor of the right to judicial review within sixty (60) days of the AS/PMB determination.