Granting of Patent Licenses (81.003)

Program

81.003 Granting of Patent Licenses

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Energy

Authorization

Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977, as amended, Public Law 95-91, 42 U.S.C. 7101. ; Atomic Energy Act of 1954, Sections 156 and 161(g), as amended, Public Law 83- 703, 68 Stat. 919, 42 U.S.C. 2186 and 2201; Public Law 96-517, 35 U.S.C. 207, 208, 209.

Program Number

81.003

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To encourage widespread utilization of inventions covered by DOE owned patents.

Types of Assistance

DISSEMINATION OF TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Uses and Use Restrictions

Nonexclusive, revocable licenses are granted by Department of Energy (DOE) to responsible applicants with plans for development and/or marketing on approximately 1,500 DOE owned United State patents. Exclusive and partially exclusive licenses may also be granted. Similar licenses on approximately 200 DOE owned foreign patents may be accorded to United State citizens and corporations, and to others under terms and conditions which depend upon particular facts. Licenses for use or sale in the United States may normally be granted only to licensees that agree to substantial manufacture in the United States. Copies of U.S. patents may be obtained from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20231, for a modest fee.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Individuals, firms, or corporations with satisfactory plans and intentions to commercialize the invention may apply.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Individuals, firms, and corporations will benefit.

Credentials/Documentation

Satisfactory plans for development and/or marketing of the invention. In the case of corporations, the State of incorporation. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. By letter to the Assistant General Counsel for Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property, DOE, Washington, DC 20585, identifying the patent by its number, together with information as to: (1) The nature and type of the applicant's business; (2) the purpose for which the license is desired together with documentation as to the applicant's plan for development and/or marketing of the invention to achieve that purpose; (3) the geographical areas in which the applicant will practice the invention; (4) the applicant's willingness to render periodic reports on the use of the licensed subject matter; (5) the applicant's status as a small business firm, minority business, or other; and (6) remittance of a $25 processing fee for each license requested. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110.

Award Procedure

Patent licenses are issued by the Office of the Assistant General Counsel for Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property, DOE.

Deadlines

Not Applicable.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Normally three months for nonexclusive licenses; somewhat longer for exclusive licenses.

Appeals

Applicants denied a license and revoked licensees have the right to appeal in accordance with 10 CFR 781 by filing notice of appeal within 30 days. Appeals board is designated upon filing of notice of appeal.

Renewals

Licenses may be renewed upon reapplication, contingent on satisfactory performance.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula.

This program has no matching requirements.

This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

There are no funds obligated under this program. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: There are no funds obligated under this program.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

No program reports are required. If license is royalty bearing, DOE has the right to inspect the books of account as necessary to determine accuracy of statement. Annual reports are required to be submitted as to the extent of utilization and royalties due, if applicable. No expenditure reports are required. No performance monitoring is required.

Audits

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-133. If license is royalty bearing, DOE has the right to inspect the books of account as necessary to determine accuracy of statement.

Records

None except where the specific license provides for payment of royalty.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: 4 patent licenses were granted. Fiscal Year 2009: 3 patent licenses were granted. Fiscal Year 2010: it is estimated that 3 patent licenses will be granted.

Financial Information

Account Identification

89-0228-0-1-276.

Obligations

(Dissemination of Technical Information) FY 08 $0; FY 09 est $0; FY 10 est $0 - There are no dollars obligated under this program.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

No dollars are obligated under this program.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Licensing of government owned inventions (37 CFR 404). 10 CFR 781, DOE Patent Licensing Regulations; "DOE Invention Licensing Program" describes the program and is available at http://www.osti.gov/gencoun/.

Related Programs

11.900 Patent and Trademark Technical Information Dissemination

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

John T. Lucas 1000 Independence Ave, SW, Washington, District of Columbia 20585 Phone: (202) 586-2802

Web Site Address

http://www.doe.gov

Examples of Funded Projects

Not Applicable.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Nonexclusive licenses - satisfactory plan for development and/or marketing of the invention. Exclusive licenses in addition, a determination in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 209(c) that exclusivity is reasonable and necessary for commercialization.