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THEME PROJECT MISSION

How to Submit Licensing Requests

NASA Patent Remix Challenge

2025

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

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Technology Transfer

  • Federal labs have an obligation to promote their inventions for commercial purposes for the benefit of all
  • Maintaining technology transfer programs at government agencies has been a congressional mandate for over 40 years
    • Congressional and Executive Support Documents include:
      • Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980
      • Bayh-Dole Act of 1980
      • Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986
      • Executive Order 12591 (1987)
      • Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988
      • National Competitiveness Technology Transfer Act of 1989
      • National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995
      • Technology Transfer Commercialization Act of 2000
      • Presidential Memorandum of 2011

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Patenting and Patent Licensing

  • A patent is an exclusive right for an invention:
    • Novel – new
    • Inventive – non-obvious
    • Has Utility – specific purpose
  • A patent gives an inventor exclusive rights to their invention
    • Others cannot make, use or sell what an inventor creates without getting the inventor’s permission
    • Has a lifetime – 20 years
  • Patent license
    • A contract between a patent owner (NASA) and a licensee (could be you) that defines the terms under which the licensee may make, sell, and use a patented invention

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What type of license is right for me?

EVALUATION

LICENSE

GOVERNMENT USE

LICENSE

COMMERCIAL

LICENSE

  • Evaluation License (aka Research License)
    • Allows licensee to “make”, “have made” and test
    • Determine if invention will function as intended
    • Term is typically 6 months to 12 months and can be renewed
    • Minimal cost

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  • Government Use License
    • Applicable if you have been awarded a government contract
    • Agreement number to be supplied to NASA
    • Term is equivalent to term of contract
    • No cost

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  • Commercial License
    • Allows licensee to manufacture and sell
    • Terms are negotiated, but typically include up front fee and annual royalties
    • Term ends when the patent (or the last patent of a suite) is expired

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Select a NASA Patented Technology

  • technology.nasa.gov/patents
  • Organized by category
    • 15 commercially relevant topics
  • Can be filtered to see only patents from a particular NASA site
  • Keyword search also available

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technology.nasa.gov/patents

  • View Featured technology or
  • Select a category
    • View a picture and technology summary
    • Select Read more

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Technology Descriptions

See radial buttons in top right corner

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ATLAS Application System

  • Select “Apply to License” radial button when viewing the Technology Description
  • Create login identity
  • Fill in online form
    • Company name/location
    • Intended use/market addressed
  • Be sure to Submit the license once the application is complete
  • License application will be reviewed by Technology Transfer Office
    • Licensing type will be assigned
  • You will be contacted by the Technology Transfer Office for a meeting
  • License recommendation will be made within NASA center
  • Licensee signs agreement
  • NASA center management signs agreement

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Application Requirements

  • Application is meant to be straightforward
  • Company Information requested includes
    • Business Location
    • Date and place of incorporation
    • Point of contact
  • Technology Use
    • Describe the product(s), process(es) or service(s) you are proposing to create, evaluate or enhance
    • What fields of use do you envision?
    • Are competitive technologies available?
    • What economic benefits will your proposed use of the technology generate for the US?
    • What market sectors are you targeting and what is the market size for your application?

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Additional Information

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Commercial licenses – Additional Information

  • Commercial licenses are available to domestic and international organizations
    • Licensee must agree to substantially manufacture in the United States
    • Can be exclusive, partially exclusive or non-exclusive
      • Exclusive licenses require notification in the Federal Register
      • Other entities may submit objections to granting of exclusivity
    • Most include an upfront fee, an annual minimum royalty and a running royalty
    • Terms are negotiated on a case-by case basis

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Licensing Fun Facts

  • Many patented technologies are early stage and require additional research and development efforts prior to commercialization
  • NASA does not make or sell hardware or software therefore prototypes are often not available to licensees
  • A license is not a joint development agreement with NASA
    • Additional R&D and commercialization activities are the responsibility of the licensee
  • Obtaining a license does not constitute an endorsement by NASA
    • Use of NASA’s logo is not appropriate

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nasa.gov

Exploring the secrets of the universe for the benefit of all.