Stevenson–Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980

Stevenson–Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980
Long title	An Act to promote United States technological innovation for the achievement of national economic, environmental, and social goals, and for other purposes.
Enacted by	the 96th United States Congress
Effective	October 21, 1980
Citations
Public law	Pub. L. 96–480
Statutes at Large	94 Stat. 2311
Codification
Titles amended	15 U.S.C.: Commerce and Trade
U.S.C. sections created	15 U.S.C. ch. 63
U.S.C. sections amended	Chapter 63 § 3701
Legislative history
	Introduced in the Senate as S. 1250 by Adlai E. Stevenson, III (D–IL) on May 24, 1979; Committee consideration by Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee and House Science and Technology Committee; Passed the Senate on May 28, 1980 (passed); Passed the House on September 8, 1980 (passed) with amendment; Senate agreed to House amendment on September 26, 1980 (agreed) with further amendment; House agreed to Senate amendment on October 1, 1980 (agreed); Signed into law by President Jimmy Carter on October 21, 1980;

The Stevenson–Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (Pub.L. 96–480) (94 Stat. 2311) was the first major U.S. technology transfer law. It required federal laboratories to actively participate in and budget for technology transfer activities.

The Stevenson–Wydler Technology Innovation Act was signed into law by U.S. President Jimmy Carter on October 21, 1980.

The Stevenson–Wydler Act specifies, that inventors at government laboratories receive the first $2,000 of royalties each year plus 15% of any additional royalties. Such details are in contrast with the Bayh–Dole Act, which leaves up to the universities the decision how to split the revenue between the inventors and the institution.