---
kind: "section"
citation: "15 U.S.C. § 5308"
title: "15"
title_heading: "Commerce and Trade"
number: "5308"
heading: "Protection of proprietary rights"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/15/5308"
units:
  - "Chapter 79 — Metal Casting Competitiveness Research Program"
---

# §5308. Protection of proprietary rights

- (a) **Proprietary rights—** No trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential, under the meaning of [section 552(b)(4) of title 5](/usc/5/552.md?p=b-4), which is obtained from a company as a result of activities under this chapter shall be disclosed.
- (b) **Commercial information—** The [Secretary](/usc/15/5302.md?p=7), for a period of up to 5 years after the development of information that—
  - (1) results from research and development activities conducted under this chapter; and
  - (2) would be a trade secret or commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential, under the meaning of [section 552(b)(4) of title 5](/usc/5/552.md?p=b-4), if the information had been obtained from a company,

  may provide appropriate protection against the dissemination of such information, including exemption from subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5.

- (c) **Patent rights—** With respect to patent rights, the Institutes shall be treated in the same manner as are nonprofit organizations and small business firms under [chapter 18](/usc/35/chptII/ch18.md) of title 35, notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained in that chapter.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 101–425, § 9, Oct. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 919.)