Technology License Agreement with a Research Organization as Licensor
Agreement made on the __________________ (date) , between
_____________________ (Name of Licensor) , a nonprofit corporation organized and
existing under the laws of the state of ______________, with its principal office
located at ____________________________________________________________
________________ (street address, city, state, zip code) , referred to herein as
Licensor , and ____________________ (Name of Licensee) , a corporation organized
and existing under the laws of the state of ________________, with its principal office
located at ____________________________________________________________
___________ (street address, city, state, zip code) , referred to herein as Licensee .
Whereas, Licensor owns certain technology rights related to the Licensed
Subject Matter described in detail in Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part
hereof; and
Whereas, Licensor desires to have the Licensed Subject Matter developed and
used for the benefit of Licensee, Inventor, Licensor, and the public as outlined in
Licensor’s Intellectual Property Policy attached hereto as Exhibit B and made a part
hereof; and
Whereas, Licensee wishes to obtain a license from Licensor to benefit from
Licensed Subject Matter.
Now, therefore, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants contained in
this agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency
of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
1. Effective Date
This Agreement is effective _______________ (date) , hereinafter called the
Effective Date .
2. Definitions
As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings indicated:
A. Affiliate means any business entity more than ______% owned by
Licensee, any business entity which owns more than ______% of Licensee, or
any business entity that is more than _____% owned by a business entity that
owns more than _____% of Licensee.
B. Licensed Field means (describe) _____________________________
_______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________ .
C. Licensed Product means any product sold by Licensee comprising
Licensed Subject Matter pursuant to this Agreement.
D. Licensed Subject Matter means inventions and discoveries considered
to be proprietary know-how or Technology Rights which are within Licensed
Field.
E. Licensed Territory means the (describe) _______________________
_______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________ .
F. Net Sales means the gross revenues received by Licensee from the
Sale of Licensed Products less sales and/or use taxes actually paid, import
and/or export duties actually paid, outbound transportation prepaid or allowed,
and amounts allowed or credited due to returns (not to exceed the original
billing or invoice amount).
G. Sale, Sell or Sold means the transfer or disposition of a Licensed
Product for value to a party other than Licensee.
H. Technology Rights means Licensor’s rights in technical information,
know-how, processes, procedures, compositions, devices, methods, formulas,
protocols, techniques, software, designs, drawings or data created by Licensor
before the Effective Date relating to (describe) _________________________
______________________________________________________________ .
3. Warranty and Superior Rights
A. Licensor represents and warrants its belief that:
1. It is the owner of the entire right, title, and interest in and to
Licensed Subject Matter,
2. It has the sole right to grant licenses thereunder, and
3. It has not knowingly granted licenses thereunder to any other
entity that would restrict rights granted to Licensee except as stated
herein.
B. Licensee understands and acknowledges that Licensor, by this
Agreement, makes no representation as to the operability or fitness for any use,
safety, efficacy, ability to obtain regulatory approval, and/or breadth of the
Licensed Subject Matter.
C. Licensee, by execution hereof, acknowledges, covenants and agrees
that it has not been induced in any way by Licensor or its directors, officers or
employees to enter into this Agreement, and further warrants and represents
that (i) it has conducted sufficient due diligence with respect to all items and
issues pertaining to this Paragraph 3 and all other matters pertaining to this
Agreement; and (ii) Licensee has adequate knowledge and expertise, or has
utilized knowledgeable and expert consultants, to adequately conduct the due
diligence, and agrees to accept all risks inherent herein.
4. License
A. Licensor hereby grants to Licensee a royalty-bearing, exclusive license
under Licensed Subject Matter to manufacture, have manufactured, and/or sell
Licensed Products within the Licensed Territory for use within Licensed Field.
This grant is subject to the payment by Licensee to Licensor of all consideration
as provided herein, and is further subject to rights retained by Licensor to:
1. Publish the general scientific findings from research related to
Licensed Subject Matter subject to the terms of Paragraph 10 ,
Confidential Information; and
2. Use Licensed Subject Matter for research, teaching and other
educationally-related purposes.
B. Licensee may extend the license granted herein to any Affiliate if the
Affiliate consents to be bound by this Agreement to the same extent as
Licensee.
C. Licensee may grant sublicenses consistent with this Agreement if
Licensee is responsible for the operations of its sublicensees relevant to this
Agreement as if the operations were carried out by Licensee, including the
payment of royalties whether or not paid to Licensee by a sublicensee.
Licensee must deliver to Licensor a true and correct copy of each sublicense
granted by Licensee, and any modification or termination thereof, within ______
(number) days after execution, modification, or termination. When this
Agreement is terminated, all existing sublicenses granted by Licensee must be
assigned to Licensor.
5. Payments and Reports
A. In consideration of rights granted by Licensor to Licensee under this
Agreement, Licensee will pay Licensor the following:
1. A nonrefundable license documentation fee in the amount of
$___________, due and payable when this Agreement is executed by
Licensee;
2. An annual license reissue fee in the amount of
$______________, due and payable on each anniversary of the
Effective Date beginning on the first anniversary;
3. A running royalty equal to ______% of Net Sales for Licensed
Products; and
4. The first Sale or a minimum yearly royalty of $ __________
beginning one year after approval of offer for Sale of a Licensed Product
by the __________________ (name) or a comparable foreign regulatory
authority.
B. In consideration of rights granted by Licensor to Licensee under this
Agreement, Licensee further agrees to pay Licensor the following after the
execution of a sublicense hereunder:
1. Within 30 days after the execution of the sublicense, a sublicense
fee of _____% of any up-front cash payment made to Licensee in
consideration of the sublicense, excluding funds paid to Licensee for
research and development purposes, or $__________, whichever is
more;
2. Within 30 days after the execution of the sublicense, a sublicense
fee constituting a cash payment equal to ______% of any non-cash
consideration received by Licensee from a sublicensee, such
consideration to include, without limitation, equity in other companies or
equity investments in Licensee. The value of an equity investment will be
calculated as the average market value of the class of stock involved for
______ (number) consecutive days preceding the execution of the
sublicense agreement. In cases where the sublicense agreement calls
for payment to Licensee of a premium over the market value, Licensor
will also share ______% of the premium paid to Licensee; and
3. One half of the gross revenue royalty payments received on Net
Sales of Licensed Products received by Licensee from any sublicensee.
C. During the Term of this Agreement and for (e.g., one) _______ year
thereafter, Licensee agrees to keep complete and accurate records of its and
its sublicensees’ Sales and Net Sales of Licensed Products under the License
granted in this Agreement in sufficient detail to enable the royalties payable
hereunder to be determined. Licensee agrees to permit Licensor or its
representatives, at Licensor’s expense, to periodically examine its books,
ledgers, and records during regular business hours for the purpose of and to
the extent necessary to verify any report required under this Agreement. If the
amounts due to Licensor are determined to have been underpaid, Licensee will
pay the cost of the examination and accrued interest at the highest allowable
rate.
D. Within _____ (number) days after _________________ (date) ,
________________ (date) , _______________ (date) , and ________________
(date) , beginning immediately after the Effective Date, Licensee must deliver to
Licensor a true and accurate written report, even if no payments are due
Licensor, giving the particulars of the business conducted by Licensee and its
sublicensee(s), if any exist, during the preceding ______ (number) calendar
months under this Agreement as are pertinent to calculating payments
hereunder. This report will include at least:
1. The quantities of Licensed Subject Matter that it has produced;
2. The total Sales;
3. The calculation of royalties thereon; and
4. The total royalties computed and due Licensor.
Simultaneously with the delivery of each report, Licensee must pay to
Licensor the amount, if any, due for the period of each report.
E. On or before each anniversary of the Effective Date, irrespective of
having a first Sale or offer for Sale, Licensee must deliver to Licensor a written
progress report as to Licensee’s (and any sublicensee’s) efforts and
accomplishments during the preceding year in diligently commercializing
Licensed Subject Matter in the Licensed Territory and Licensee’s (and, if
applicable, sublicensee’s) commercialization plans for the upcoming year.
F. All amounts payable here by Licensee must be paid in United States
funds without deductions for taxes, assessments, fees, or charges of any kind.
Checks must be payable to ________________ (Name) at the address set
forth above.
6. Term and Termination
A. The term of this Agreement is from the Effective Date for a period of
______ (number) years.
B. Any time after ______ (number) years from the Effective Date, Licensor
shall have the right to terminate the exclusivity of this license in any national
political jurisdiction in the Licensed Territory if Licensee, within _____
(number) days after receiving written notice from Licensor of intended
termination of exclusivity, fails to provide written evidence satisfactory to
Licensor that Licensee or its sublicensees has commercialized or is actively
attempting to commercialize a licensed invention in such jurisdiction(s).
C. Any time after ______ (number) years from the Effective Date, Licensor
have the right to terminate this license in any national political jurisdiction in the
Licensed Territory if Licensee, within _____ (number) days after receiving
written notice from Licensor of intended termination, fails to provide written
evidence satisfactory to Licensor that Licensee or its sublicensees has
commercialized or is actively attempting to commercialize a licensed invention
in such jurisdiction(s).
D. The following definitions apply to this Paragraph 6 :
1. Commercialize means having Sales of Licensed Products in
such jurisdiction; and
2. Active attempts to commercialize means having Sales of
Licensed Products or an effective, ongoing and active research,
development, manufacturing, marketing or sales program as
appropriate, directed toward obtaining regulatory approval, production or
Sales of Licensed Products in any jurisdiction, and plans acceptable to
Licensor, in its sole discretion, to commercialize licensed inventions in
the jurisdiction(s) that Licensor intends to terminate.
E. This Agreement will earlier terminate:
1. Automatically if Licensee becomes bankrupt or insolvent and/or if
the business of Licensee is placed in the hands of a receiver, assignee,
or trustee, whether by voluntary act of Licensee or otherwise; or
2. Upon _____ (number) days written notice from Licensor if
Licensee breaches or defaults on its obligation to make payments (if any
are due) or reports, in accordance with the terms of Paragraph 5 ,
unless, before the end of the _____ (number) day period, Licensee has
cured the default or breach and so notifies Licensor, stating the manner
of the cure; or upon _____ (number) days written notice if Licensee
breaches or defaults on any other obligation under this Agreement,
unless, before the end of the _____ (number) day period, Licensee has
cured the default or breach and so notifies Licensor, stating the manner
of the cure; or at any time by mutual written agreement between
Licensee and Licensor, upon _____ (number) days written notice to all
parties and subject to any terms herein which survive termination; or
under the provisions of Paragraphs 6.B and 6.C if invoked.
F. If this Agreement is terminated for any cause:
1. Nothing herein will be construed to release either party of any
obligation matured prior to the effective date of the termination;
2. After the effective date of the termination, Licensee may sell all
Licensed Products and parts therefore it has on hand at the date of
termination, if it pays earned royalties thereon according to the terms of
Paragraph 5 ; and
3. Licensee will be bound by the provisions of Paragraphs 8
(Indemnification), 9 (Use of Licensor and Component’s Name), and 10
(Confidential Information) of this Agreement.
7. Assignment
Except in connection with the sale of substantially all of Licensee’s assets to a
third party, this Agreement may not be assigned by Licensee without the prior written
consent of Licensor, which will not be unreasonably withheld.
8. Indemnification and Insurance
A. Licensee agrees to hold harmless and indemnify Licensor, its officers,
employees and agents from and against any claims, demands, or causes of
action whatsoever, including without limitation those arising on account of any
injury or death of persons or damage to property caused by, or arising out of, or
resulting from, the exercise or practice of the license granted hereunder by
Licensee, its Affiliates or their officers, employees, agents or representatives.
B. In no event shall Licensor be liable for any indirect, special,
consequential or punitive damages (including, without imitation, damages for
loss of profits or expected savings or other economic losses, or for injury to
persons or property) arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or its
subject matter, regardless of whether Licensor knows or should know of the
possibility of such damages.
C. Insurance
1. Beginning at the time when any Licensed Subject Matter is being
distributed or sold (including for the purpose of obtaining regulatory
approvals) by Licensee or by a sublicensee, Licensee shall, at its sole
cost and expense, procure and maintain commercial general liability
insurance in amounts not less than $__________ per incident and
$__________ annual aggregate, and Licensee shall use reasonable
efforts to have the Licensor, its officers, employees and agents named
as additional insureds. Such commercial general liability insurance shall
provide (i) product liability coverage; (ii) broad form contractual liability
coverage for Licensee¹s indemnification under this Agreement; and (iii)
coverage for litigation costs. The minimum amounts of insurance
coverage required shall not be construed to create a limit of Licensee¹s
liability with respect to its indemnification under this Agreement.
2. Licensee shall provide Licensor with written evidence of such
insurance upon Licensor's request. Licensee shall provide Licensor with
written notice of at least _____ (number) days prior to the cancellation,
non-renewal or material change in such insurance.
3. Licensee shall maintain such commercial general liability
insurance beyond the expiration or termination of this Agreement during
(i) the period that any Licensed Subject Matter developed pursuant to
this Agreement is being commercial distributed or sold by Licensee or by
a sublicensee or agent of Licensee; and (ii) the ______ (number) year
period immediately after such period.
9. Use of Licensor’s Name and Component’s Name
Licensee may not use the name of Licensor without express written consent.
10. Confidential Information and Publication
A. Licensor and Licensee each agree that all information contained in
documents marked confidential and forwarded to one by the other (i) be
received in strict confidence, (ii) be used only for the purposes of this
Agreement, and (iii) not be disclosed by the recipient party, its agents or
employees without the prior written consent of the other party, except to the
extent that the recipient party can establish competent written proof that such
information:
1. Was in the public domain at the time of disclosure;
2. Later became part of the public domain through no act or
omission of the recipient party, it’s employees, agents, successors or
assigns;
3. Was lawfully disclosed to the recipient party by a third party
having the right to disclose it;
4. Was already known by the recipient party at the time of
disclosure;
5. Was independently developed by the recipient; or is required by
law or regulation to be disclosed.
B. Each party’s obligation of confidence hereunder shall be fulfilled by using
at least the same degree of care with the other party’s confidential information
as it uses to protect its own confidential information. This obligation shall exist
while this Agreement is in force and for a period of _____ (number) years
thereafter.
C. Licensor will submit its manuscript for any proposed publication of
research related to Licensed Subject Matter to Licensee at least _____
(number) days before publication, and Licensee shall have the right to review
and comment upon the publication in order to protect Licensee’s confidential
information. Upon Licensee’s request, publication will be delayed up to ______
(number) additional days to enable Licensee to secure adequate intellectual
property protection of Licensee’s property that would be affected by the
publication.
11. Licensee must comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws and
regulations in connection with its activities pursuant to this Agreement.
12. Severability
The invalidity of any portion of this Agreement will not and shall not be deemed
to affect the validity of any other provision. If any provision of this Agreement is held to
be invalid, the parties agree that the remaining provisions shall be deemed to be in full
force and effect as if they had been executed by both parties subsequent to the
expungement of the invalid provision.
13. No Waiver
The failure of either party to this Agreement to insist upon the performance of
any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, or the waiver of any breach of any
of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, shall not be construed as subsequently
waiving any such terms and conditions, but the same shall continue and remain in full
force and effect as if no such forbearance or waiver had occurred.
14. Governing Law
This Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance
with the laws of the State of _____________.
15. Notices
Any notice provided for or concerning this Agreement shall be in writing and
shall be deemed sufficiently given when sent by certified or registered mail if sent to
the respective address of each party as set forth at the beginning of this Agreement.
16. Attorney’s Fees
In the event that any lawsuit is filed in relation to this Agreement, the
unsuccessful party in the action shall pay to the successful party, in addition to all the
sums that either party may be called on to pay, a reasonable sum for the successful
party's attorney fees.
17. Mandatory Arbitration
Any dispute under this Agreement shall be required to be resolved by binding
arbitration of the parties hereto. If the parties cannot agree on an arbitrator, each
party shall select one arbitrator and both arbitrators shall then select a third. The third
arbitrator so selected shall arbitrate said dispute. The arbitration shall be governed by
the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in force and effect.
18. Entire Agreement
This Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties and
any prior understanding or representation of any kind preceding the date of this
Agreement shall not be binding upon either party except to the extent incorporated in
this Agreement.
19. Modification of Agreement
Any modification of this Agreement or additional obligation assumed by either
party in connection with this Agreement shall be binding only if placed in writing and
signed by each party or an authorized representative of each party.
20. Counterparts
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute but one
and the same instrument.
21. In this Agreement, any reference to a party includes that party's heirs,
executors, administrators, successors and assigns, singular includes plural and
masculine includes feminine.
WITNESS our signatures as of the day and date first above stated.
________________________ _______________________
(Name of Licensor) (Name of Licensee)
By:____________________________ By:____________________________
__________________________ _________________________
(P rinted name & Office in Corporation) (P rinted name & Office in Corporation)
__________________________ _________________________
(Signature of Officer) (Signature of Officer)