NASA’s Technology Transfer Program says it’s opening up its patent portfolio and waiving the costs associated with using the patents.
Once a startup has brought the product to market, NASA will start collecting a “standard net royalty fee,” but otherwise inventors will be able to use the patents however they like.
NASA Guidelines:
- This offer is open only to companies formed with the express intent of commercializing the licensed NASA technology.
- “No up-front payment” means NASA waives the initial licensing fees, and there are no minimum fees for the first three years.
- Once the company starts selling a product, NASA will collect a standard net royalty fee. This money goes first to the inventor and then to maintaining the agency’s technology transfer activities and technology advancement.
- This announcement applies only to non-exclusive licenses, which means other companies may apply for similar rights to use the technology for commercial purposes. However, NASA will consider further exclusivity if the start-up wishes to negotiate.
- Companies entering into these licenses are bound by all requirements in federal licensing statutes and NASA policies, including development of a commercialization plan and reporting on efforts to achieve practical application.