Funds appropriated for a military department available for making or procuring supplies may be used to acquire any of the following if the acquisition relates to supplies or processes produced or used by or for, or useful to, that department:

1. (1) Copyrights, patents, and applications for patents.
2. (2) Licenses under copyrights, patents, and applications for patents.
3. (3) Design and process data, technical data, and computer software.
4. (4) Releases for past infringement of patents or copyrights or for unauthorized use of technical data or computer software.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 137; Pub. L. 86–726, § 3, Sept. 8, 1960, 74 Stat. 855; Pub. L. 103–355, title III, § 3063, Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3337; Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title VIII, § 813, Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 395.)

The words “equipment, and materials” are omitted as covered by the word “supplies”. The word “hereafter” is omitted as executed. The words “may be used” are substituted for the words “shall * * * be available”. The words “if the acquisition relates to” are substituted for 31:649b (1st 8 words of last sentence). In clauses (1), (2), and (4), the word “patents” is substituted for the words “letters patent”.

Amendments 1996—Par. (3). Pub. L. 104–106 amended par. (3) generally, substituting “Design and process data, technical data, and computer software” for “Technical data and computer software”.

1994—Pars. (3), (4). Pub. L. 103–355 added pars. (3) and (4) and struck out former pars. (3) and (4) which read as follows:

“(3) Designs, processes, and manufacturing data.

“(4) Releases, before suit is brought, for past infringement of patents or copyrights.”

1960—Pub. L. 86–726 inserted “or copyrights” after “patents” in cl. (4).