Maybe I&#x27;m just disregarding a lot of patent law, but wouldn&#x27;t it be a better plan to just have all NASA patents open to anyone?<p>Sort of like the Tesla model with patents. i.e. Let&#x27;s build a docking mechanism that all private companies will use as well because engineers have poured many hours into it and let&#x27;s not re-invent the wheel. This provides a better outcome for both the governmental agency and private companies.<p>In the end, NASA&#x27;s money is the public&#x27;s money, sure it doesn&#x27;t come directly from a private company all the time, but it will come from the individuals who make up that private company.<p>This will keep NASA innovating things that may have no commercial value, but also allow for more partnerships among private companies and NASA.