Scott Felder Discusses Technology Patents Sought by Former NSA Director

September 10, 2014

Scott A. Felder, a partner in Wiley Rein’s Intellectual Property and Government Contracts practices, was quoted today in a Bloomberg News article about cybersecurity patents sought by retired General Keith Alexander, the former director of the National Security Agency (NSA).

Each federal agency has its own rules regarding former employees who start businesses similar to their old government jobs, Mr. Felder said.  “The basic rule is if there’s an invention, the government is going to get ownership if it’s done with government resources,” he said.

Even if the U.S. says it has ownership rights for the technology, Gen. Alexander might not be shut out, Mr. Felder said.  And regardless of whether the patents are ultimately granted, the phrases “patented invention” or “patent pending” can be a great marketing tool, he said.