Issue link: https://htpgraphics.uberflip.com/i/116731
How can IP be commercialised? Section 1 Licensing IP Instead of assigning IP, it may be more appropriate to retain ownership of the IP and instead just allow someone else to use it. This is known as a 'licence out'. On the other side of the coin, it may be that you need to use IP which is owned by someone else. You will need to request to be granted rights to use the IP. This is known as a 'licence in'. When the licence is of copyright in artistic works, of design rights or of a trade mark, for reproduction on an article, it is called merchandising. For written or musical works the licence may be part of a Publishing Agreement. For any filmed material, it is likely to be part of a Production Agreement. Let's look at a couple of examples: Licensing Out Licensing In You have produced an on-line 'IP management' training package. You have been approached by a company which wishes to use this package. The package, including its constituent software and various training materials, can be licensed out to the company to use as it requires. You have developed a novel form of radiator device. However, for this to be of any interest to the commercial market it needs to be specifically insulated. You know of a company which uses some technology to spray on insulating coating – this would be ideal. The company has a patent over this technology. To use the technology to insulate your radiator in preparation for commercialisation you need a licence from the company to use its 'spray coating' technology. It is less likely that you will be involved in a situation where you need to 'license in' IP. This is more often used by spin-out companies. This Guide concentrates on the 'licensing out' of IP and will therefore tend to look at a licence from the perspective of the party which is licensing out. 5