The exploitation of inventions and the rights registered thereupon is usually governed by private law contracts.
Specifically, these are the following types of contracts that can be used individually or collectively. For example, a research and development contract may result in a license agreement for the use of a developed product, the production of which requires know-how that must be kept secret. We are happy to contribute our experience in formulating or adapting the following contracts.
Research and Development Agreement – A Research and Development Agreement governs the cooperation between parties, which usually pursue a joint research and development goal under aspects of costs, capacities or knowledge. Especially, potential rights to inventions are governed, which may arise in the course of cooperation.
Know-How Agreement – A Know-How Agreement governs the transfer of – otherwise kept secret – technical knowledge between parties. This typically relates to information, which is required for producing a product in a certain quality. The product may also be covered by a technical property right, upon which a license is granted.
License Agreement – A License Agreement governs the right of third parties to exploit an Intellectual Property right such as a patent, a utility model, a trademark or a design against royalties. The extent of the exploitation rights is defined in view of substantial, regional and temporal aspects. It can be an exclusive or non-exclusive License Agreement, the royalty rate being fixed, dependent on revenues or dependent on sold pieces.