42 USC § 2185 - Prior art

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t42/s2185"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "42 USC § 2185 - Prior art"
title_number: 42
title_name: "THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE"
section_number: "2185"
section_name: "Prior art"
chapter_number: 23
chapter_name: "DEVELOPMENT AND CONTROL OF ATOMIC ENERGY"
subchapter_number: "XII"
subchapter_name: "PATENTS AND INVENTIONS"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Aug. 1, 1946, ch. 724, title I, § 155, as added Aug. 30, 1954, ch. 1073, § 1, 68 Stat. 947; renumbered title I, Pub. L. 102–486, title IX, § 902(a)(8), Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 2944.)"
---


# § 2185. Prior art

In connection with applications for patents covered by this subchapter, the fact that the invention or discovery was known or used before shall be a bar to the patenting of such invention or discovery even though such prior knowledge or use was under secrecy within the atomic energy program of the United States.

---

**Source Credit**: (Aug. 1, 1946, ch. 724, title I, § 155, as added Aug. 30, 1954, ch. 1073, § 1, 68 Stat. 947; renumbered title I, Pub. L. 102–486, title IX, § 902(a)(8), Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 2944.)

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Transfer of Functions

Atomic Energy Commission abolished and functions transferred by sections 5814 and 5841 of this title. See, also, notes set out under those sections.