Small-Business-Innovation-Research-SBIR-Program-Explained

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Explained

SBIR stands for Small Business Innovation Research. This federally funded program encourages innovation and technological advancement in areas that align with national interests. Various federal agencies administer the program to partner with small and medium-sized entities (SMEs) to provide initial funding for researching and commercializing these new technologies.

Expanded Collaborative Search Pilot (CSP) program in partnership with the Japan Patent Office (JPO) and the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO)

USPTO Extends Combined Patent Search Pilot Program with Japanese Patent Office and Korean Intellectual Property Office

The United States Patent Office has announced an expansion of the Collaborative Search Pilot Program beginning November 1, 2022. This announcement signals the beginning of phase three of the pilot program, which will last until 2024.

China

Chinese Regulations on International Data Transfer

It has become increasingly significant for companies to keep abreast of data compliance trends to comply with data compliance-related policies and regulations in China. With the start of 2023, reviewing the regulations related to data transfer released in China over the last year is essential. These regulations may impact multinational companies investing in China and companies involved in cross-border business.

Pentagon Image

Intellectual Property Rights and Federally Funded Research

Under typical Phase 1 contracts with the Department of Defense (DoD), such as the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), default ownership of domestic and international intellectual property rights belong to the Contractor. However, if the Contractor fails to report any inventions to the contracting officer within two months of preparing the corresponding patent applications, the Contractor risks losing ownership of those inventions.

Washington DC

Federal Contracting; Contractor Disclosure to Funding Agencies and Agency March-in Rights

Funding agencies have taken a very narrow approach when interpreting the four categories listed above from 35 U.S.C. § 203. Accordingly, contractors should understand how march-in rights function in theory, but it is historically unlikely to assume an agency would exercise this power without further legislation. Ultimately, contractors should focus on furthering their research and ensuring proper disclosure practices to their funding agencies, as it is historically unlikely that a funding agency will exercise their march-in rights and compel contractors to license any of their subject inventions.

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