>  I'm not sure how the ARS can use taxpayer money to develop a product, and 
> then to license it for production without patenting it--which would place 
> the formula in the public domain.

For sake of accuracy, my understanding is that the project was financed 
through a small business grant and capital outside of the ARS, and that lab 
facilities were rented by SAFE, Gordy's company.

I assume that all previous ARS research, paid for by the public purse, and 
current ARS expertise was brought to bear, but my understanding is that the 
specific work on MegaBee was supposed to be private.

Beyond that, I do not know if the ARS contributed more than what was hired 
and if there was a 'Chinese Wall' or if things intermingled, or if they 
obtained rights to new findings, if any.

It seems that the Tucson lab is publically taking credit for the project, 
though, so I am not sure how arms length things are -- and were. 

             ***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software.  For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html

Access BEE-L directly at:
http://community.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-LSOFTDONATIONS.exe?A0=BEE-L