AFI51-303 governs Air Force intellectual property, including inventions, patents, copyrights, trademarks, and proprietary information.
View AFI51-303 on armypubs.army.mil
It addresses invention disclosures, patent security reviews, patent applications, incentive awards, copyright use, trademark registration, and proprietary information. It requires accurate invention records and controls on public disclosure, copyrighted material, trademarks, and non-disclosure agreements.
Applies to: This instruction applies to all Regular Air Force personnel and members of the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard (ANG), except where noted otherwise.
As such, all Air Force personnel are responsible for keeping accurate records regarding their duties—especially those duties involving research, development, and engineering—and any potentially patentable inventions that may result. (paragraph 2)
To ensure Air Force interests in an invention are preserved, Air Force personnel shall refrain from publicly disclosing the invention or any related details until a patenting decision has been made or a patent application has been filed, whichever occurs later. (paragraph 2)
Patent applications are prepared, filed, and prosecuted for inventions having sufficient value to the Air Force to justify patent protection. (paragraph 4)
Inventions made by Air Force personnel become eligible for an incentive award upon issuance of an initial Letters Patent. (paragraph 4)
Air Force personnel typically do not have authority to bind the United States through these agreements and should not sign them. (paragraph 8)