§ 7317. Status of Government rights in the designs of vessels, boats, and craft, and components thereof

(a)In General.— Government rights in the design of a vessel, boat, or craft, and its components, including the hull, decks, superstructure, and all shipboard equipment and systems, shall be determined solely as follows:

(1) In the case of a vessel, boat, craft, or component procured through a contract, in accordance with the provisions of section 2320 of this title.

(2) In the case of a vessel, boat, craft, or component procured through an instrument not governed by section 2320 of this title, by the terms of the instrument (other than a contract) under which the design for such vessel, boat, craft, or component, as applicable, was developed for the Government.

(b)Construction of Superseding Authorities.— This section may be modified or superseded by a provision of statute only if such provision expressly refers to this section in modifying or superseding this section.

(Added Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title VIII, § 825(a), Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4534.)