FAR 52.227-14—Rights in Data-General.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 52.227-14, Rights in Data—General, is the government’s core clause for allocating ownership-like rights in data and software developed, delivered, or used under a federal contract. This section defines the key terms that control the clause, including computer database, computer software, computer software documentation, data, technical data, form, fit, and function data, limited rights data, restricted computer software, restricted rights, and unlimited rights. It then explains how rights are allocated between the Government and the contractor for data first produced in performance, form/fit/function data, manuals and training materials, and other delivered data, as well as the contractor’s retained rights to use, publish, copyright, and protect certain data and software. The clause also addresses copyright assertions, including when prior written approval is required, and it sets out the Government’s and contractor’s notice and marking obligations for limited rights, restricted rights, and copyright notices. In practice, this clause determines whether the Government can freely use and share deliverables, whether the contractor can protect proprietary information or software, and what markings, approvals, and disclosures are required during performance and delivery. It is especially important in contracts involving technical data, software development, manuals, engineering drawings, databases, and other deliverables that may contain trade secrets, confidential information, or copyrighted material.
Key Rules
Definitions control rights
The clause begins by defining the terms that determine the scope of rights, including data, technical data, computer software, computer software documentation, databases, form/fit/function data, limited rights data, restricted computer software, restricted rights, and unlimited rights. Correct classification is critical because the Government’s rights depend on whether the item is software, technical data, documentation, or data first produced in performance.
Government gets broad rights by default
Unless an exception applies, the Government receives unlimited rights in data first produced in performance, form/fit/function data, manuals and training materials for delivered items, and all other delivered data except restricted computer software and limited rights data handled under the clause’s special procedures. Unlimited rights allow the Government to use, disclose, reproduce, distribute, and authorize others to do the same for any purpose.
Contractor retains limited protections
The contractor may use, release, reproduce, distribute, or publish data first produced or specifically used in performance unless the contract says otherwise, and may protect limited rights data and restricted computer software from unauthorized disclosure to the extent allowed by the clause. The contractor also has the right to substantiate, add, or correct required notices for limited rights, restricted rights, and copyright markings.
Copyright is allowed with limits
The contractor may assert copyright in data first produced in performance, but for scientific and technical articles published in journals, symposia proceedings, or similar works, prior approval is not required unless the contract says otherwise. For all other data first produced in performance, the contractor must obtain the Contracting Officer’s prior express written permission before asserting copyright.
Limited rights data is protected
Limited rights data generally covers non-software data that embody trade secrets or are commercial, financial, confidential, or privileged, when developed at private expense, including minor modifications. The Government’s use and disclosure of such data are restricted, and the contractor must properly identify and protect it under the clause’s marking and notice requirements.
Restricted computer software is protected
Restricted computer software is software developed at private expense that is a trade secret, confidential or privileged, commercial or financial, or copyrighted, including minor modifications. The Government’s rights are limited by the restricted rights notice or any incorporated collateral agreement, and the contractor must ensure the software is properly identified and protected.
Marking and notice procedures matter
The clause relies on proper notices and markings to preserve limited rights, restricted rights, and copyright claims. If the contractor fails to mark or substantiate protected material correctly, the Government may treat the data as delivered with broader rights, so timely and accurate marking is essential.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Determine whether the clause and any alternates apply, approve or deny copyright assertions when prior written permission is required, and ensure the contract includes any needed collateral agreements or special provisions. The Contracting Officer also evaluates disputes or requests involving data rights notices, markings, and the scope of Government rights.
Contractor
Identify and classify data and software correctly, mark limited rights data and restricted computer software as required, and substantiate or correct notices when necessary. The contractor must obtain prior written permission before asserting copyright in most data first produced in performance, protect proprietary information from unauthorized disclosure, and comply with any contract-specific data rights terms.
Government
Respect the limits on disclosure and use for limited rights data and restricted computer software, while exercising unlimited rights where the clause grants them. Government personnel must also avoid improper release of protected material and ensure deliverables are handled consistently with the clause and any incorporated notices.
Subcontractors or Data Originators
When their data or software is incorporated into the prime contract deliverables, they must support the prime contractor’s markings, proprietary claims, and substantiation as needed. They should coordinate early so ownership, licensing, and notice requirements are consistent across the supply chain.
Practical Implications
This clause often decides whether the Government can share a deliverable broadly or must keep it confidential, so early data-rights planning is essential.
A common pitfall is mislabeling software, documentation, or technical data, which can unintentionally give the Government broader rights than the contractor intended.
Contractors should track what was first produced in performance versus what was developed at private expense, because that distinction drives unlimited rights versus limited or restricted rights.
Copyright assertions are not automatic for all deliverables; contractors need to know when prior written approval is required and when publication exceptions apply.
Contracting officers should verify that any special data-rights arrangements, collateral agreements, or alternate clauses are consistent with the base clause and the actual deliverables.
Official Regulatory Text
As prescribed in 27.409 (b)(1) , insert the following clause with any appropriate alternates: Rights in Data-General (May 2014) (a) Definitions. As used in this clause- Computer database or "database means" a collection of recorded information in a form capable of, and for the purpose of, being stored in, processed, and operated on by a computer. The term does not include computer software. Computer software - (1) Means (i) Computer programs that comprise a series of instructions, rules, routines, or statements, regardless of the media in which recorded, that allow or cause a computer to perform a specific operation or series of operations; and (ii) Recorded information comprising source code listings, design details, algorithms, processes, flow charts, formulas, and related material that would enable the computer program to be produced, created, or compiled. (2) Does not include computer databases or computer software documentation. Computer software documentation means owner’s manuals, user’s manuals, installation instructions, operating instructions, and other similar items, regardless of storage medium, that explain the capabilities of the computer software or provide instructions for using the software. Data means recorded information, regardless of form or the media on which it may be recorded. The term includes technical data and computer software. The term does not include information incidental to contract administration, such as financial, administrative, cost or pricing, or management information. Form, fit, and function data means data relating to items, components, or processes that are sufficient to enable physical and functional interchangeability, and data identifying source, size, configuration, mating and attachment characteristics, functional characteristics, and performance requirements. For computer software it means data identifying source, functional characteristics, and performance requirements but specifically excludes the source code, algorithms, processes, formulas, and flow charts of the software. Limited rights means the rights of the Government in limited rights data as set forth in the Limited Rights Notice of paragraph (g)(3) if included in this clause. Limited rights data means data, other than computer software, that embody trade secrets or are commercial or financial and confidential or privileged, to the extent that such data pertain to items, components, or processes developed at private expense, including minor modifications. Restricted computer software means computer software developed at private expense and that is a trade secret, is commercial or financial and confidential or privileged, or is copyrighted computer software, including minor modifications of the computer software. Restricted rights , as used in this clause, means the rights of the Government in restricted computer software, as set forth in a Restricted Rights Notice of paragraph (g) if included in this clause, or as otherwise may be provided in a collateral agreement incorporated in and made part of this contract, including minor modifications of such computer software. Technical data means recorded information (regardless of the form or method of the recording) of a scientific or technical nature (including computer databases and computer software documentation). This term does not include computer software or financial, administrative, cost or pricing, or management data or other information incidental to contract administration. The term includes recorded information of a scientific or technical nature that is included in computer databases (See 41 U.S.C. 116 ). Unlimited rights means the rights of the Government to use, disclose, reproduce, prepare derivative works, distribute copies to the public, and perform publicly and display publicly, in any manner and for any purpose, and to have or permit others to do so. (b) Allocation of rights. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this clause, the Government shall have unlimited rights in- (i) Data first produced in the performance of this contract; (ii) Form, fit, and function data delivered under this contract; (iii) Data delivered under this contract (except for restricted computer software) that constitute manuals or instructional and training material for installation, operation, or routine maintenance and repair of items, components, or processes delivered or furnished for use under this contract; and (iv) All other data delivered under this contract unless provided otherwise for limited rights data or restricted computer software in accordance with paragraph (g) of this clause. (2) The Contractor shall have the right to- (i) Assert copyright in data first produced in the performance of this contract to the extent provided in paragraph (c)(1) of this clause; (ii) Use, release to others, reproduce, distribute, or publish any data first produced or specifically used by the Contractor in the performance of this contract, unless provided otherwise in paragraph (d) of this clause; (iii) Substantiate the use of, add, or correct limited rights, restricted rights, or copyright notices and to take other appropriate action, in accordance with paragraphs (e) and (f) of this clause; and (iv) Protect from unauthorized disclosure and use those data that are limited rights data or restricted computer software to the extent provided in paragraph (g) of this clause. (c) Copyright- (1) Data first produced in the performance of this contract. (i) Unless provided otherwise in paragraph (d) of this clause, the Contractor may, without prior approval of the Contracting Officer, assert copyright in scientific and technical articles based on or containing data first produced in the performance of this contract and published in academic, technical or professional journals, symposia proceedings, or similar works. The prior, express written permission of the Contracting Officer is required to assert copyright in all other data first produced in the performance of this contract. (ii) When authorized to assert copyright to the data, the Contractor shall affix the applicable copyright notices of 17 U.S.C. 401 or 402, and an acknowledgment of Government sponsorship (including contract number). (iii) For data other than computer software, the Contractor grants to the Government, and others acting on its behalf, a paid-up, nonexclusive, irrevocable, worldwide license in such copyrighted data to reproduce, prepare derivative works, distribute copies to the public, and perform publicly and display publicly by or on behalf of the Government. For computer software, the Contractor grants to the Government, and others acting on its behalf, a paid-up, nonexclusive, irrevocable, worldwide license in such copyrighted computer software to reproduce, prepare derivative works, and perform publicly and display publicly (but not to distribute copies to the public) by or on behalf of the Government. (2) Data not first produced in the performance of this contract. The Contractor shall not, without the prior written permission of the Contracting Officer, incorporate in data delivered under this contract any data not first produced in the performance of this contract unless the Contractor- (i) Identifies the data; and (ii) Grants to the Government, or acquires on its behalf, a license of the same scope as set forth in paragraph (c)(1) of this clause or, if such data are restricted computer software, the Government shall acquire a copyright license as set forth in paragraph (g)(4) of this clause (if included in this contract) or as otherwise provided in a collateral agreement incorporated in or made part of this contract. (3) Removal of copyright notices. The Government will not remove any authorized copyright notices placed on data pursuant to this paragraph (c), and will include such notices on all reproductions of the data. (d) Release, publication, and use of data. The Contractor shall have the right to use, release to others, reproduce, distribute, or publish any data first produced or specifically used by the Contractor in the performance of this contract, except- (1) As prohibited by Federal law or regulation ( e.g. , export control or national security laws or regulations); (2) As expressly set forth in this contract; or (3) If the Contractor receives or is given access to data necessary for the performance of this contract that contain restrictive markings, the Contractor shall treat the data in accordance with such markings unless specifically authorized otherwise in writing by the Contracting Officer. (e) Unauthorized marking of data. (1) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this contract concerning inspection or acceptance, if any data delivered under this contract are marked with the notices specified in paragraph (g)(3) or (g) (4) if included in this clause, and use of the notices is not authorized by this clause, or if the data bears any other restrictive or limiting markings not authorized by this contract, the Contracting Officer may at any time either return the data to the Contractor, or cancel or ignore the markings. However, pursuant to 41 U.S.C. 4703 , the following procedures shall apply prior to canceling or ignoring the markings. (i) The Contracting Officer will make written inquiry to the Contractor affording the Contractor 60 days from receipt of the inquiry to provide written justification to substantiate the propriety of the markings; (ii) If the Contractor fails to respond or fails to provide written justification to substantiate the propriety of the markings within the 60-day period (or a longer time approved in writing by the Contracting Officer for good cause shown), the Government shall have the right to cancel or ignore the markings at any time after said period and the data will no longer be made subject to any disclosure prohibitions. (iii) If the Contractor provides written justification to substantiate the propriety of the markings within the period set in paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this clause, the Contracting Officer will consider such written justification and determine whether or not the markings are to be cancelled or ignored. If the Contracting Officer determines that the markings are authorized, the Contractor will be so notified in writing. If the Contracting Officer determines, with concurrence of the head of the contracting activity, that the markings are not authorized, the Contracting Officer will furnish the Contractor a written determination, which determination will become the final agency decision regarding the appropriateness of the markings unless the Contractor files suit in a court of competent jurisdiction within 90 days of receipt of the Contracting Officer’s decision. The Government will continue to abide by the markings under this paragraph (e)(1)(iii) until final resolution of the matter either by the Contracting Officer’s determination becoming final (in which instance the Government will thereafter have the right to cancel or ignore the markings at any time and the data will no longer be made subject to any disclosure prohibitions), or by final disposition of the matter by court decision if suit is filed. (2) The time limits in the procedures set forth in paragraph (e)(1) of this clause may be modified in accordance with agency regulations implementing the Freedom of Information Act ( 5 U.S.C. 552 ) if necessary to respond to a request thereunder. (3) Except to the extent the Government’s action occurs as the result of final disposition of the matter by a court of competent jurisdiction, the Contractor is not precluded by paragraph (e) of the clause from bringing a claim, in accordance with the Disputes clause of this contract, that may arise as the result of the Government removing or ignoring authorized markings on data delivered under this contract. (f) Omitted or incorrect markings. (1) Data delivered to the Government without any restrictive markings shall be deemed to have been furnished with unlimited rights. The Government is not liable for the disclosure, use, or reproduction of such data. (2) If the unmarked data has not been disclosed without restriction outside the Government, the Contractor may request, within 6 months (or a longer time approved by the Contracting Officer in writing for good cause shown) after delivery of the data, permission to have authorized notices placed on the data at the Contractor’s expense. The Contracting Officer may agree to do so if the Contractor- (i) Identifies the data to which the omitted notice is to be applied; (ii) Demonstrates that the omission of the notice was inadvertent; (iii) Establishes that the proposed notice is authorized; and (iv) Acknowledges that the Government has no liability for the disclosure, use, or reproduction of any data made prior to the addition of the notice or resulting from the omission of the notice. (3) If data has been marked with an incorrect notice, the Contracting Officer may- (i) Permit correction of the notice at the Contractor’s expense if the Contractor identifies the data and demonstrates that the correct notice is authorized; or (ii) Correct any incorrect notices. (g) Protection of limited rights data and restricted computer software. (1) The Contractor may withhold from delivery qualifying limited rights data or restricted computer software that are not data identified in paragraphs (b)(1)(i), (ii), and (iii) of this clause. As a condition to this withholding, the Contractor shall- (i) Identify the data being withheld; and (ii) Furnish form, fit, and function data instead. (2) Limited rights data that are formatted as a computer database for delivery to the Government shall be treated as limited rights data and not restricted computer software. (3) [Reserved] (h) Subcontracting. The Contractor shall obtain from its subcontractors all data and rights therein necessary to fulfill the Contractor’s obligations to the Government under this contract. If a subcontractor refuses to accept terms affording the Government those rights, the Contractor shall promptly notify the Contracting Officer of the refusal and shall not proceed with the subcontract award without authorization in writing from the Contracting Officer. (i) Relationship to patents or other rights. Nothing contained in this clause shall imply a license to the Government under any patent or be construed as affecting the scope of any license or other right otherwise granted to the Government. (End of clause) Alternate I (Dec 2007) . As prescribed in 27.409 (b)(2), substitute the following definition for "limited rights data" in paragraph (a) of the basic clause: Limited rights data means data, other than computer software, developed at private expense that embody trade secrets or are commercial or financial and confidential or privileged. Alternate II (Dec 2007) . As prescribed in 27.409 (b)(3), insert the following paragraph (g)(3) in the basic clause: (g)(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (g)(1) of this clause, the contract may identify and specify the delivery of limited rights data, or the Contracting Officer may require by written request the delivery of limited rights data that has been withheld or would otherwise be entitled to be withheld. If delivery of that data is required, the Contractor shall affix the following "Limited Rights Notice" to the data and the Government will treat the data, subject to the provisions of paragraphs (e) and (f) of this clause, in accordance with the notice: Limited Rights Notice (Dec 2007) (a) These data are submitted with limited rights under Government Contract No. _____ (and subcontract ______ , if appropriate). These data may be reproduced and used by the Government with the express limitation that they will not, without written permission of the Contractor, be used for purposes of manufacture nor disclosed outside the Government; except that the Government may disclose these data outside the Government for the following purposes, if any; provided that the Government makes such disclosure subject to prohibition against further use and disclosure: [ Agencies may list additional purposes as set forth in 27.404-2 (c)(1) or if none, so state. ] (b) This notice shall be marked on any reproduction of these data, in whole or in part. (End of notice) Alternate III (Dec 2007) . As prescribed in 27.409 (b)(4), insert the following paragraph (g)(4) in the basic clause: (g)(4)(i) Notwithstanding paragraph (g)(1) of this clause, the contract may identify and specify the delivery of restricted computer software, or the Contracting Officer may require by written request the delivery of restricted computer software that has been withheld or would otherwise be entitled to be withheld. If delivery of that computer software is required, the Contractor shall affix the following "Restricted Rights Notice" to the computer software and the Government will treat the computer software, subject to paragraphs (e) and (f) of this clause, in accordance with the notice: Restricted Rights Notice (Dec 2007) (a) This computer software is submitted with restricted rights under Government Contract No. _______ (and subcontract ________ , if appropriate). It may not be used, reproduced, or disclosed by the Government except as provided in paragraph (b) of this notice or as otherwise expressly stated in the contract. (b) This computer software may be- (1) Used or copied for use with the computer(s) for which it was acquired, including use at any Government installation to which the computer(s) may be transferred; (2) Used or copied for use with a backup computer if any computer for which it was acquired is inoperative; (3) Reproduced for safekeeping (archives) or backup purposes; (4) Modified, adapted, or combined with other computer software, provided that the modified, adapted, or combined portions of the derivative software incorporating any of the delivered, restricted computer software shall be subject to the same restricted rights; (5) Disclosed to and reproduced for use by support service Contractors or their subcontractors in accordance with paragraphs (b)(1) through (4) of this notice; and (6) Used or copied for use with a replacement computer. (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if this computer software is copyrighted computer software, it is licensed to the Government with the minimum rights set forth in paragraph (b) of this notice. (d) Any other rights or limitations regarding the use, duplication, or disclosure of this computer software are to be expressly stated in, or incorporated in, the contract. (e) This notice shall be marked on any reproduction of this computer software, in whole or in part. (End of notice) (ii) Where it is impractical to include the Restricted Rights Notice on restricted computer software, the following short-form notice may be used instead: Restricted Rights Notice Short Form (Jun 1987) Use, reproduction, or disclosure is subject to restrictions set forth in Contract No. _______ (and subcontract, if appropriate) with ________ (name of Contractor and subcontractor). (End of notice) (iii) If restricted computer software is delivered with the copyright notice of 17 U.S.C. 401 , it will be presumed to be licensed to the Government without disclosure prohibitions, with the minimum rights set forth in paragraph (b) of this clause. Alternate IV (Dec 2007) . As prescribed in 27.409 (b)(5), substitute the following paragraph (c)(1) for paragraph (c)(1) of the basic clause: (c) Copyright -(1) Data first produced in the performance of the contract. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this contract, the Contractor may assert copyright in any data first produced in the performance of this contract. When asserting copyright, the Contractor shall affix the applicable copyright notice of 17 U.S.C. 401 or 402, and an acknowledgment of Government sponsorship (including contract number), to the data when such data are delivered to the Government, as well as when the data are published or deposited for registration as a published work in the U.S. Copyright Office. For data other than computer software, the Contractor grants to the Government, and others acting on its behalf, a paid-up, nonexclusive, irrevocable, worldwide license for all such data to reproduce, prepare derivative works, distribute copies to the public, and perform publicly and display publicly, by or on behalf of the Government. For computer software, the Contractor grants to the Government and others acting on its behalf, a paid-up, nonexclusive, irrevocable, worldwide license for all such computer software to reproduce, prepare derivative works, and perform publicly and display publicly (but not to distribute copies to the public), by or on behalf of the Government. Alternate V (Dec 2007) . As prescribed in 27.409 (b)(6), add the following paragraph (j) to the basic clause: (j) The Contractor agrees, except as may be otherwise specified in this contract for specific data deliverables listed as not subject to this paragraph, that the Contracting Officer may, up to three years after acceptance of all deliverables under this contract, inspect at the Contractor’s facility any data withheld pursuant to paragraph (g)(1) of this clause, for purposes of verifying the Contractor’s assertion of limited rights or restricted rights status of the data or for evaluating work performance. When the Contractor whose data are to be inspected demonstrates to the Contracting Officer that there would be a possible conflict of interest if a particular representative made the inspection, the Contracting Officer shall designate an alternate inspector.