Technology Transfer

The federal government provided about $70 billion for research and development in fiscal year 1998. Federal funds are used to support both "intramural" programs that involve government employees working in government facilities and "extramural" programs that are carried out by nonfederal organizations through contracts and grants. This report provides information on (1) government-owned inventions licensed by six federal agencies during fiscal years 1996 through 1998; (2) whether the licenses were exclusive on nonexclusive; (3) whether the licensees were small businesses, individuals, large businesses, or nonprofit organizations; and (4) whether the licensees were foreign or domestic. The six agencies GAO reviewed are the National Institutes of Health, the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Department of Energy, and NASA. The six agencies reported that they granted a total of 866 licenses and received $107.5 million in royalties during fiscal years 1996 through 1998. Most of the licenses were nonexclusive, most went to small businesses or individuals, and most went to domestic entities.

GAO noted that: (1) the six agencies reported that they granted a total of 866 licenses and received $107.5 million in royalties during fiscal years 1996 through 1998; (2) most of the licenses were nonexclusive, most went to small businesses or individuals, and most went to domestic entities; (3) as of October 1, 1998, the six agencies had a total of 1,391 active licenses; and (4) the license types, licensee types, and licensee locations occurred in proportions similar to those licenses granted during fiscal years 1996 through 1998.