NASA and Industrial Property

The purposes and powers of the National Aeronautics and Space Act are described briefly, particularly as they affect the electronics industry, as an introduction to a more extended discussion of the provisions of the Act relating to patent rights and rights to trade secrets and proprietary information generally. The stringent nature of the latter provisions is stressed, and adverse effects of strict construction and enforcement on the electronics industry analyzed. Mitigating regulations under which the Act will in fact be administered are discussed.