Dominique Haynes

Recent reporting that the U.S. Department of Commerce has opened an investigation into Harvard University’s handling of federally funded inventions has sent a clear signal to universities nationwide: Bayh-Dole compliance is entering a new enforcement era. While the facts of the Harvard case are still developing, federal officials have publicly indicated a willingness to consider the use of Bayh-Dole “march-in” rights—a power that has existed on paper for decades but has rarely been invoked....

iEdison Compliance Overview If your organization receives federal funding for R&D through SBIR/STTR programs , NIH , DOE , or other federal agencies, you are required to submit annual utilization reports in iEdison  by January 31, 2026 —or risk losing rights to federally funded inventions. This requirement applies to any invention for which your organization elected title  under the Bayh-Dole Act . Whether you're a university, non-profit, or small business, missing this deadline can trigger...

Federal contractors and grantees receiving funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are increasingly receiving demand letters  for failing to comply with Bayh-Dole Act invention reporting requirements  in a timely manner. These communications often request that the recipient convey title to the government —a serious consequence that can be avoided with proper oversight and timely action in iEdison . What Triggers a DOE Demand Letter? DOE demand letters typically follow one of two...