Why would NASA need patents? I would venture to guess that if NASA doesn't apply for a patent for a new tech they might use. Soon after not patenting it a comm

Why would NASA need patents? I would venture to guess that if NASA doesn't apply for a patent for a new tech they might use. Soon after not patenting it a commercial enterprise would, and then NASA would be required to license the technology they developed. The concept of non enforced or open source patents has only gained ground VERY recently, even though the idea has been around for a long time.