Granting of Patent Licenses
The Department of Energy's goal is to advance national, economic and energy security in the U.S.; to promote scientific and technological innovation in support of that goal; and to ensure environmental cleanup of the national nuclear weapons complex.
Program Accomplishments
2 licenses were granted in FY 2007; 8 (estimates) are expected to be granted in FY 2008 and 8 (estimates) are expected to be granted in FY 2009.
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 State may normally be granted only to licensees that agree to manufacture in the United State Copies of U. S. patents may be obtained from the United State 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.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No.
A-102 and E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
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 Procedures
Patent licenses are issued by the Office of the Assistant General Counsel for Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property, DOE.
Deadlines
None.
Authorization
Public Law 96-517, 35 U.S.C. 207, 208, 209; 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; Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977, as amended, Public Law 95-91, 42 U.S.C. 7101.
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
None.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
None.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Annual reports are required to be submitted as to the extent of utilization and royalties due, if applicable.
Audits
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.
Financial Information
Account Identification
89-0228-0-1-276.
Obigations
(Salaries) FY 07 $0; FY 08 est $0 and FY 09 est $0.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
None.
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/.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
John T. Lucas, Office of the Assistant General Counsel for Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property, DOE, Washington, DC 20585. Telephone: (202) 586-2802.
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.
Social Entrepreneurship
Spotlight
Prisons and Social Enterprise
Getting Out and Staying Out, co-founded by Tony Smith of the VSA Consulting Group, works to reduce recidivism rate among men at Rikers Island, New York City. The recidivism rate significantly dropped from 60-plus percent to under 20 percent, with more than a thousand men over a span of eight years.
