Trump targets Harvard patents worth hundreds of millions

The Trump administration threatened Harvard University with the revocation of patents over alleged violations of the federal research grant law. The university has until September 5 to explain, according to Bloomberg.

The Donald Trump administration issued an ultimatum to Harvard University, threatening to take away patents worth hundreds of millions of dollars due to possible violations of the Bayh-Dole Act concerning federal research funding.

In a letter addressed to Harvard President Alan Garber, Secretary of Commerce Howard Latnick demands that the university confirm compliance with the law’s requirements, particularly regarding the priority of manufacturing in the US.

Harvard has been given until September 5 to prove its compliance and avoid losing rights to important patents.

Otherwise, the government has the authority to issue third-party licenses for these developments, which could significantly impact the university’s financial standing and reputation.

In response to the accusations, a Harvard spokesperson stated that the university is fully committed to complying with the Bayh-Dole Act and ensuring public access to numerous innovations created with federal funding.

Harvard also called the Trump administration’s actions unprecedented and an attempt to pressure the university.

US federal court indefinitely blocked the Trump administration’s ban on admitting foreign students to Harvard University.

In May 2025, the US Department of Homeland Security deprived Harvard of the ability to participate in the Student Exchange Program.