United States Code/Title 35/Chapter 17/Section 185

'''Section 185. Patent barred for filing without license'''

Notwithstanding any other provisions of law any person, and his successors, assigns, or legal representatives, shall not receive a United States patent for an invention if that person, or his successors, assigns, or legal representatives shall, without procuring the license prescribed in of this title, have made, or consented to or assisted another's making, application in a foreign country for a patent or for the registration of a utility model, industrial design, or model in respect of the invention. A United States patent issued to such person, his successors, assigns, or legal representatives shall be invalid, unless the failure to procure such license was through error and without deceptive intent, and the patent does not disclose subject matter within the scope of of this title.

Source
(July 19, 1952, ch. 950, 66 Stat. 807; Pub. L. 100-418, title IX, Sec. 9101(b)(2), Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1568; Pub. L. 107-273, div. C, title III, Sec. 13206(a)(11), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1904.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Based on Title 35, U.S.C., 1946 ed., Sec. 155 (Feb. 1, 1952, ch. 4, Sec. 5, 66 Stat. 5).

Language is changed.

2002
Pub. L. 107-273 struck out second period at end.

1988
Pub. L. 100-418 inserted before period at end “, unless the failure to procure such license was through error and without deceptive intent, and the patent does not disclose subject matter within the scope of section 181 of this title.”

Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-418 applicable, subject to certain qualifications and exceptions, to all United States patents, and to all licenses under section 184 of this title, regardless of the date such patents or licenses are granted, and to all applications for such patents pending on or filed after Aug. 23, 1988, see section 9101(d) of Pub. L. 100-418, set out as a note under section 184 of this title.