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The article reports on the revolutionary changes in patenting academic research in the U.S. It cites that Genentech Inc., a Californian biotechnology company, has resolved a case with the University of California with the settlement payment of $200 million over the allegation that a researcher has slipped human growth hormone DNA out of the university's laboratory. Furthermore, a study reveals that patented discoveries made at universities are redirected to privately owned firms because of system failures. In addition, industry experts suggest some ways to keep patents at the universities including ensuring relations between technology-transfer offices and faculty members.

Discusses the implications of a proposal in the United States Congress for resolving disputes over patent rights. Threat to the transfer of scientific technology from Department of Energy laboratories to private companies; Views of officials from the University of California; Conflict between the Lawrence Livermore laboratory and Time Domain over rights to micro-impulse radar (MIR) technology; Comments from Time Domain's president, Ralph Petroff.