DFARS 227.7203-4 License rights

Subsection Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement

Facts

Citation
DFARS 227.7203-4
Type
Subsection
Supplements
FAR Part 27 Patents, Data, and Copyrights
Last amended
88 FR 6578 Effective Jan 31, 2023
Text as of
DFARS Change May 7, 2026
Official text
acquisition.gov

Text from acquisition.gov. Federal Register history from the Federal Register's records of the rules that amended this subsection.

Text

(a) Grant of license. The Government obtains rights in computer software or computer software documentation, including a copyright license, under an irrevocable license granted or obtained by the contractor which developed the software or documentation or the licensor of the software or documentation if the development contractor is not the licensor. The contractor or licensor retains all rights in the software or documentation not granted to the Government. The scope of a computer software license is generally determined by the source of funds used to develop the software. Contractors or licensors may, with some exceptions, restrict the Government's rights to use, modify, reproduce, release, perform, display, or disclose computer software developed exclusively or partially at private expense (see 227.7203-5 (b) and (c)). They may not, without the Government's agreement (see 227.7203-5 (d)), restrict the Government's rights in computer software developed exclusively with Government funds or in computer software documentation required to be delivered under a contract.

(b) Source of funds determination. The determination of the source of funds used to develop computer software should be made at the lowest practicable segregable portion of the software or documentation (e.g., a software sub-routine that performs a specific function). Contractors may assert restricted rights in a segregable portion of computer software which otherwise qualifies for restricted rights under the clause at 252.227-7014 , Rights in Other Than Commercial Computer Software and Other Than Commercial Computer Software Documentation.

Federal Register history

Final rule Published Effective
Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Definition of “Commercial Item” (DFARS Case 2018-D066) 88 FR 6578 · Docket DARS-2022-0004

Sections cited

Quick answers

What is DFARS 227.7203-4?

DFARS 227.7203-4 is a subsection of the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement, titled "License rights".

When was DFARS 227.7203-4 last changed?

The most recent final rule on record is "Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Definition of “Commercial Item” (DFARS Case 2018-D066)" (88 FR 6578), published Jan 31, 2023 and effective Jan 31, 2023.

Are changes to DFARS 227.7203-4 proposed?

No proposed rule from the last 3 years is waiting on a final rule.

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