Step 3: Seeking a Partner/Licensee
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If the assessment of your technology recommends patenting and pursuit of transfer, the Innovative Partnerships Program Office begins securing the intellectual property rights and finding a viable partner/licensee.
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What is the difference between a partnership and a license?
A partnership involves ongoing collaboration between Goddard and the partner. For example, the partner might use Goddard facilities, personnel, and/or equipment to further develop the technology for the commercial or non-NASA application. Depending on the arrangement, Goddard is reimbursed financially, or the partner contributes its own resources to further a NASA mission. A license agreement grants the licensee the rights (either fully or partially exclusive or nonexclusive) to manufacture or use the technology. The specific arrangement depends on the technology and its readiness to be transferred to the new application as well as what the partner/licensee can offer NASA.
How does the Innovative Partnerships Program Office find partners/licensees for my technology?
Because the assessment includes interviews with potential users and licensees, identifying most of the appropriate contacts has been done. Some additional research might be conducted to find others. Once the list of contacts is finalized, the Office explains the partnership/licensing opportunity, encouraging them to apply for use or license of the technology.
How does the Office communicate with these potential partners/licensees?
We use a variety of communication tools, according to what is most effective for the situation. The most common are the following:
- Technology Opportunity Sheets—One-page announcements succinctly presenting the technology and its potential applications and benefits
- Web sites—Some technologies can only be fully understood with many details, which are best presented online
- Industry briefings—Meetings hosted by NASA to explain the technology and the partnership/licensing opportunity.
- Trade show exhibits—Displays and/or presentations that introduce technologies available for partnership/licensing. (Upcoming trade shows and events)
What happens when one of the contacts expresses interest in becoming a partner/licensee?
The specifics vary from case to case, but in general the Innovative Partnerships Program Office requests a project or transfer plan that provides details about the organization, how it plans to use the technology, its financial stability, and the proposed terms for the agreement. Once the plan and other application forms have been received, negotiations begin.
