Federal Technology Transfer Act and Related Legislation

Federal Technology Transfer Act (FTTA) of 1986 - 15 USC 3710 
The Federal Technology Transfer Act (FTTA) was enacted by Congress in 1986 and builds on the Stevenson-Wydler Act of 1980. FTTA improves access to federal government laboratories by non-federal organizations. It allows government inventors to patent their technologies and receive a share of the royalties when patents are licensed. The goal of this legislation is to more efficiently and effectively put federally-funded technology to use in real-world applications.

Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980
This Act allows laboratories owned and operated by the federal government to enter into cooperative research and development agreements (CRADAs). Prior to this Act, technology transfer was not a part of the mission of most federal agencies.

Bayh-Dole Act of 1980 - 35 USC 200
The Bayh-Dole Act addresses intellectual property rights stemming from research funded by the government. It allows U.S. universities, small businesses and non-profits to retain title to their inventions. The government retains a right to use the technology. Previously, the government owned the intellectual property rights to these inventions funded by the government.

America Invents Act of 2011
This Act makes changes to the U.S. patent filing system. It changes the patent system from patenting based on the “first to invent” principle to the “first inventor to file.” This aligns the U.S. system with that of most other countries.

The Federal Technology Transfer Legislation and Policy ("The Green Book")was developed by the Federal Laboratory Consortium, and includes specific legislative language in the FTTA and related legislation.