IP Missteps in Government Contracts

The U.S. government typically ends up owning what it pays for. Small businesses, however, can sometimes win government contracts to develop technology and yet retain patent and certain data rights, provided the correct steps are taken at the right time. Recently, two small companies learned the hard

The first company, Night Vision Corporation, won a small business innovative research (SBIR) phase I contract from the U.S. Air Force to develop a prototype night vision goggle. The innovative goggle has a wider field of view, eliminating soldiers' need to turn their heads from side to side as they must when wearing conventional night vision goggles that limit peripheral vision. Night Vision also won a follow-on phase II contract to deliver 12 developmental goggles. These "panoramic" goggles have four optical channels to increase the field of view without suffering from decreased resolution.