Scientist Complains Of Federal Copyright Infringement

A local scientist believes the federal government has infringed on his intellectual property.

John Hnatio says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration got ahold of his trade secrets and used them to create a tool that the FDA released on its website free of charge. Hnatio, chief science officer and founder of Frederick-based FoodQuestTQ, had been developing a product to sell to industry, he said.

The government's actions have caused blacklisting of his company, he said.

The Small Business Administration is referring Hnatio's complaints to the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General.

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