SpendQueryBeta

FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 27: Patents, Data, and Copyrights › Subpart 27.2

FAR 27.204-2 Use of patented technology under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).

The codified text (eCFR, as of 2026-10-02). Under the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul ↗, agencies follow class deviations with new text for many parts while the formal rules go through the Federal Register: check the solicitation and your contract's clauses, which rule.

In plain English

This section notes that Article 31 of the TRIPS Agreement (part of GATT) addresses when a member country's law permits use of a patent without the owner's authorization, including use by a government. It also notes that Article 20.40 of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement preserves parties' rights under Article 31. It matters to contractors because it frames the international rules that can apply when patented technology is used without authorization.

Applies to: Use of patented technology under GATT/TRIPS and the USMCA

Key terms: patented technology · GATT · TRIPS · use of a patent without authorization · United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement

Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.

The text

Article 31 of Annex 1C, Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, to GATT (Uruguay Round) addresses situations where the law of a member country allows for use of a patent without authorization, including use by the Government. Article 20.40 of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement preserves parties' rights under Article 31.

← 27.204-1 Use of patented technology under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. · 27.300 Scope of subpart. →

Rule changes for FAR Part 27

Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.

FAR 27.204-2 Use of patented technology under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) · SpendQuery