[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 48, Volume 1] [Revised as of October 1, 2005] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 48CFR27.204-1] [Page 511-512] TITLE 48--FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM CHAPTER 1--FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION PART 27_PATENTS, DATA, AND COPYRIGHTS--Table of Contents Subpart 27.2_Patents Sec. 27.204-1 General. (a)(1) To determine whether royalties anticipated or actually paid under Government contracts are excessive, improper, or inconsistent with any Government rights in particular inventions, patents, or patent applications, contracting officers shall require prospective contractors to furnish certain royalty information and shall require contractors to furnish certain royalty reports. Contracting officers shall take [[Page 512]] appropriate action to reduce or eliminate excessive or improper royalties. (2) Royalty information shall not be required (except for information under 27.204-3) in sealed bid contracts unless the need for such information is approved at a level above that of the contracting officer as being necessary for proper protection of the Government's interests. (b) Any solicitations that may result in a negotiated contract for which royalty information is desired or for which cost or pricing data is obtained (see 15.403) should contain a provision requesting information relating to any proposed charge for royalties. If the response to a solicitation includes a charge for royalties, the contracting officer shall, before award of the contract, forward the information relating to the proposed payments of royalties to the office having cognizance of patent matters for the contracting activity concerned. The cognizant office shall promptly advise the contracting officer of appropriate action. Before award, the contracting officer shall take action to protect the Government's interest with respect to such royalties, giving due regard to all pertinent factors relating to the proposed contract and the advice of the cognizant office. (c) The contracting officer, when considering the approval of a subcontract, shall require and obtain the same royalty information and take the same action with respect to such subcontracts in relation to royalties as required for prime contracts under paragraph (b) of this subsection. However, consent need not be withheld pending receipt of advice in regard to such royalties from the office having cognizance of patent matters. (d) The contracting officer shall forward the royalty information and/or royalty reports received to the office having cognizance of patent matters for the contracting activity concerned for advice as to appropriate action. [49 FR 12974, Mar. 30, 1984, as amended at 52 FR 19803, May 27, 1987; 56 FR 15152, Apr. 15, 1991; 62 FR 51271, Sept. 30, 1997]