1995 US Code
Title 50 - WAR AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
CHAPTER 10 - HELIUM GAS
Sec. 167b - Production of helium; maintenance and operation of facilities; research

The Secretary is authorized to maintain and operate helium production and purification plants together with facilities and accessories thereto; to acquire, store, transport, sell, and conserve helium, helium-bearing natural gas, and helium-gas mixtures, to conduct exploration for and production of helium on and from the lands acquired, leased, or reserved; and to conduct or contract with public or private parties for experimentation and research to discover helium supplies and to improve processes and methods of helium production, purification, transportation, liquefaction, storage, and utilization: Provided, however, That all research contracted for, sponsored, cosponsored, or authorized under authority of this chapter shall be provided for in such a manner that all information, uses, products, processes, patents and other developments resulting from such research developed by Government expenditure will (with such exceptions and limitations, if any, as the Secretary may find to be necessary in the interest of national defense) be available to the general public: And provided further, That nothing contained herein shall be construed as to deprive the owner of any background patent relating thereto to such rights as he may have thereunder.

(Mar. 3, 1925, ch. 426, §4, as added Sept. 13, 1960, Pub. L. 86–777, §2, 74 Stat. 920.)

A prior section 4 of act Mar. 3, 1925, related to exportation of helium gas and was classified to section 165 of this title, prior to repeal by act Aug. 26, 1954, ch. 937, title V, §542(a)(13), 68 Stat. 861.

This section is referred to in title 35 section 210.