How to License GRC Technologies
Licensing Our Technology Patents
Many of NASA GRC’s patents are available for licensing. The Technology Transfer and Partnership Office (TTPO) is here to help you navigate the licensing process and assist in assembling the necessary documents. Below is more detailed information on licensing technologies from NASA GRC. Also be sure to visit our Frequently Asked Questions regarding patent licensing. And, as always, feel free to contact us with any questions.
For additional licensing assistance, please call Bob Kistemaker at 216-433-2775.
About Patent Licensing
Through the TTPO, NASA GRC licenses pending patent applications and existing patents to private industry in compliance with 37 CFR 404 (link opens new browser window) entitled, "Licensing of Government Owned Inventions.” (See also, Licensing Instructions (link opens new browser window))
NASA licenses are individually negotiated with the prospective licensee, and each license contains terms concerning commercialization (practical application), license duration, royalties, and periodic reporting. NASA licenses may be exclusive or nonexclusive; and may be for all or less than all fields of use of the technology or limited to all or specific geographic areas. (See also, Model Terms and Conditions (link opens new browser window)).
When evaluating an application for license in one or more of its patents, NASA reviews the commercialization plan submitted by the license applicant and evaluates factors such as the applicant's technical, financial, manufacturing, and marketing resources, present and past business activities, and its anticipated investment of capital for carrying out the commercialization plan. (See also, How to Prepare a Commercialization Plan (link opens new browser window))
Besides NASA GRC's review of a licensee's balance sheet, income statement and annual report, NASA GRC requires a projection of revenues expected for any products made which will embody or embed the patented NASA technology. (See also, Sample Pro Forma Model (link opens new browser window))
The process of obtaining a NASA patent license has many steps and requires close coordination between the applicant and the GRC Center License Administrator, as well as GRC Patent Counsel.
For additional licensing assistance, please contact Bob Kistemaker at 216-433-2775.