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.
