You can search for technologies or the capability to develop a technology at the:
WSURF web site: http://www.wsurf.org/AvailableTech.aspx
Washington State University web site: http://www.wsu.edu
Or you can contact WSURF directly to discuss your needs and interests.
Generally, we post all non-confidential information about our technologies on our website. If you would like more information please contact WSURF
Option Agreements - You may need time to evaluate a technology but do not want to compete with other companies for a license to that technology. Signing an exclusive Option Agreement with WSURF can precede the negotiation of a license agreement and gives a company the time to evaluate the technology before committing to a license agreement. Upon signing of an option agreement and payment of an option fee, the company is granted a time-limited option to acquire a license under negotiated terms. During the option period, the company has an exclusive opportunity to understand the technology and its market potential as well as work with the University to further develop the product. At any time during the option period, a formal license can be signed. An example of our option agreement can be viewed here
License Agreement - WSURF can negotiate the rights to use a selected technology for research and development, product development, manufacture, use, sublicensing, and sale. An example of our standard license agreement template can be found here.
Technology assessment is required to determine if there is sufficient value at this stage of development to invest limited development dollars. The technology assessment technique WSURF utilizes considers: Stage of Development, Patentability and Patent Coverage, Development costs and time, Technical merit, Market Breadth, Market size, and Inventor(s)'s attitude.
Once a company is interested in optioning or licensing a technology, then the Financial Value needs to be established. The valuation methods employed by WSURF are considered to determine the range of acceptable economic values as a starting point for negotiations and to determine the appropriate royalty rate. Ultimately, value is established between two parties across the table.
Our standard license agreement template can be viewed here . Typically the following terms are negotiated in conjunction with the financial value.
Degree of Exclusivity - The company can acquire exclusive or non-exclusive rights to the technology to use it in defined markets. In the former case, only one license is granted in each market. In the latter case, WSURF may license the technology to a number of companies. Rights to grant sublicenses to others can be provided under both types of licenses under mutually agreeable terms.
Field of Use - The rights are restricted to the market applications for which the company already has a track record or for which it has the resources to launch new products based on the technology. Rights areprovided for named markets.
Performance Milestones - A number of government funding agencies are now require progerss reports on technologies for which WSURF has been assigned ownership. Depending upon the level of exclusivity negotiated, WSURF will require preformance milestone commitments from the company as well as minimum royalty payments.
Fees and Royalties (Financial Value) - There will be a license sign-up fee with royalty rates negotiated on the basis of the various quantification techniques listed above. Royalty rates are expressed as a percentage of sales of the company or its sublicenses in stated markets. Financial arrangements can include equity, especially if the licensee is a start-up.
Patent management - Normally, WSURF will manage the patent application and prosecution of the invention, with the company participating in all aspects of the patenting strategy. WSURF will be focused on obtaining the broadest possible coverage of the invention. However, due to the limited patent budget of WSURF, the company will be required to cover the patent expenses. This will be reflected in the negotiations of the value. If there is evidence of a patent infringement, WSURF will have the option to take any necessary action; but there are times when the company should lead; pay for any necessary action; and retain any consequent rewards.
Indemnification and Warranties - The company will indemnify the University and WSURF from any negative repercussion of the company's activities in the marketplace and WSURF will require that product liability insurance be in place. WSURF is unable to provide any warranties with respect to suitability of product for market, freedom from infringement of third party patents, etc.
