Solons act to protect research

The Mississippi Legislature has voted to extend the trade-secret protections of researchers by exempting pre-published commercial, scientific or technical research materials from the state's Open Records Act. The law becomes effective July 1. Rep. Nolan Mettetal (R-Sardis) authored the bill to close loopholes in the public records law to prevent firms from using records requests to poach details of that research. There is no shortage of research going in Mississippi – from MSU, University of Mississippi, Jackson State, University of Southern Mississippi and NASA in Hancock County. USM has been the country’s leader in polymer science programs working with plastics leading to numerous patents and applications used by industry. MSU and Hinds Community College are involved in programs related to unmanned aerial vehicles (drones). Source: The Associated Press, 03/30/14.