(a) Proprietary rights No trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential, under the meaning of section
552 (b)(4) of title
5, which is obtained from a company as a result of activities under this chapter shall be disclosed.
(b) Commercial information The Secretary, for a period of up to 5 years after the development of information that
(1) results from research and development activities conducted under this chapter; and
(2) would be a trade secret or commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential, under the meaning of section
552 (b)(4) of title
5, if the information had been obtained from a company,
may provide appropriate protection against the dissemination of such information, including exemption from subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5.
(c) Patent rights With respect to patent rights, the Institutes shall be treated in the same manner as are
nonprofit">
nonprofit organizations and small business firms under chapter
18 of title
35, notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained in that chapter.
