The Bayh-Dole Act A GUIDE TO THE LAW AND IMPLEMENTING REGULATIONS

The Bayh-Dole Act, enacted in 1980 and subsequently amended, established a uniform federal policy allowing universities and small businesses to retain ownership of inventions developed through federally funded research, thereby facilitating technology transfer to the private sector and fostering public benefit. This legal framework, implemented through detailed regulations and compliance requirements, has markedly increased university patenting and licensing activities, spurred the creation of thousands of new companies and products, and contributed significantly to U.S. economic growth and technological innovation. As a result, the Act is widely regarded as a model of successful collaboration among government, academia, and industry, leading to substantial advancements in research commercialization and public access to new technologies.