Licensing agreements allow one company to obtain defined rights to use technology developed by another and, according to WIPO, are a useful option for companies seeking to maintain their competitive advantage and a healthy balance sheet.
WIPO - a UN body dedicated to the creation of a stable environment for the marketing of intellectual property - and the ITC, which deals with trade promotion for the UN, are keen to see an increased use of licensing agreements, viewing them as an important means of promoting the effective transfer of technology, fostering entrepreneurship and assisting national economic development.
The new publication therefore offers a practical introduction to negotiating licensing agreements and is designed to address the needs and concerns of non-specialists.
According to WIPO, the guide focuses on the identification, acquisition and transfer, through licensing agreements, of intellectual property - in particular patent-protected technologies. It provides guidance on negotiating techniques for licensing contracts and explains a number of basic rules, common issues and legal concerns associated with the negotiating process.
The guide, "Exchanging Value - Negotiating Technology Licensing Agreements" can be purchased from WIPO's web site.
