This section contains answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the licensing and commercialization of NASA Johnson Space Center technologies. If you don't find the answer to your question here, please feel free to contact our office.

Categories
+ NASA Johnson Space Center's (JSC) Technology Transfer Program
+ Information on NASA's Technologies
+ Licensing of NASA Johnson Space Center's (JSC) Technologies
+ Commercialization of NASA Johnson Space Center's (JSC) Technologies
+ Confidentiality and Privacy Issues

NASA Johnson Space Center's (JSC) Technology Transfer Program

1. Why does JSC commercialize its technology?
   Both the US Congress and the NASA Administrator believe that by transferring NASA technology and expertise to US industry, they will help to increase the Nation's industrial competitiveness, create jobs, and improve the balance of trade. We thus emphasize both the transfer of technology for mission application within the aerospace industry and dual-use applications with non-aerospace industries.

Information on NASA's Technologies

1. Where can I find information on new NASA technologies?
   NASA publishes formal technical reports that describe research work conducted at its facilities. There are also several on-line sites in which you can access information about transferable technology. These include:
   
   + NASA JSC's Technology Transfer and Commercialization Office
   http://technology.jsc.nasa.gov
   
   + NASA Tech Briefs
   http://www.nasatech.com
   
   + NASA Tech Finder
   http://technology.nasa.gov
   
   + NASA Commercial Technology Network
   http://nctn.hq.nasa.gov
   
   + NASA Technology Portal
   http://nasatechnology.nasa.gov/index.cfm
   
   Additional links to other NASA centers and related organizations may be found by visting the + Technology Transfer Resources section of this site.
   
   
2. How does a company determine what technology is available for licensing from NASA JSC?
   There are several ways. The best way to see the top NASA Johnson Space Center technologies is to see our list of + currently available patents/technologies ready to be licensed. Or, you may contact our office for additional information.
   
   
3. If I'm interested in receiving further information on a particular NASA JSC technology, whom do I contact?
   Assistance in obtaining information on patents available for licensing should be directed to the Commercial Technology Office at the NASA Center where the invention occurred. You may contact our office to receive additional information on a particular JSC technology.

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Licensing of NASA Johnson Space Center's (JSC) Technologies

1. + How do I apply for a license?
   A completed license application should be directed to the Commercial Technology Office at the NASA Center where the invention occurred. Applications for licensing of JSC technologies should be submitted to the Office of Technology Transfer and Commercialization, NASA Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Road 1, Mail Code AT, Houston, Texas, 77058-3696; Attention: Patent Counsel. For more information please see the + How Do I Apply for A License? section of this site.
   
   
2. Is there a form I should fill out to request a license for a particular NASA JSC technology?
   While there is no form to fill out, there are specific items that should be addressed in an application for license. For specific information on license application contents, please see the + How Do I Apply for A License? section of this site.
   
   
3. What qualifications does NASA JSC look for in determining whether or not to grant a license?
   Past performance, physical resources, capabilities, adequate capital, adequate staffing, a strong business plan, and evidence of the ability to complete the business plan are considered.
   
   
4. Can NASA grant an exclusive license(s) for particular NASA technology(ies)?
   Yes, for those technologies where NASA has the patent rights. Exclusive rights to a technology can be licensed depending on how many companies are interested and on the company's capabilities and business as set forth in their license application. It is generally recognized that certain technologies require a degree of exclusivity as a necessary incentive to permit a company to recoup the required risk capital associated with bringing a new product to the market. Other factors that may be taken into account are your company's commercialization plan and its demonstrated ability to successfully complete a commercialization effort.
   
   
5. Will my company be given a license to all, or only particular fields of use of a patented NASA JSC technology under a licensing agreement?
   Depending on the company's capabilities and business as set forth in their license application, and on whether other companies are interested in the technology, all or only particular fields of use will be specified in a license agreement.
   
   
6. What happens if another company is also interested in the same technology that my company wants to commercialize?
   There are a number of possible licensing agreements: non-exclusive, co-exclusive, exclusive, exclusive in a particular field of use or geographic region, and various combinations of these. NASA can request proposed commercialization plans from all interested companies, review and evaluate their plans, select the best plan(s), and then use the plan(s) to determine which licensing arrangement will best ensure successful commercialization of the technology.
   
   
7. What if I am the first company to submit a license application for a particular NASA JSC technology(ies)?
   Obviously, being first has some advantage, but NASA is obligated to license its technology to companies who exhibit the capability to achieve commercialization.
   
   
8. What fees and royalties does NASA require under a license agreement?
   NASA generally requires an up-front payment plus a running royalty, which is negotiable depending on the type of license issued (exclusive or non-exclusive) and a number of other factors, such as the specific technology involved, the maturity of the technology, the fields being licensed, and the amount of investment required to achieve commercialization. There are no pre-determined fees or royalty amounts for a particular technology. All NASA licenses are individually negotiated with the prospective licensee, therefore JSC is not able to provide "ballpark" quotes for licensing of a particular technology. In most instances, after review of a completed application, Patent Counsel is able to provide information on what is believed to be a reasonable expectation for the licensing of a particular technology.
   
   
9. What percentage in royalties does NASA require under a licensing agreement?
   The percentage in royalties you'll pay to JSC in a licensing agreement is negotiable and varies according to the type of license issued (i.e., exclusive or nonexclusive) and a number of other factors.
   
   
10. How long does the patent licensing process take?
    The amount of time required as part of the patent licensing process varies significantly, but can be reasonably expected to take about 3 to 4 months after JSC receives a completed license application. This amount of time varies based on the license application, plans for marketing and development of the technology, and whether the licensee is seeking an exclusive or non-exclusive license. A request for an exclusive or partially exclusive license requires the publication of a notice in the Federal Register for a period of no less than 15 days, during which time a member of the public can file a written objection to the request, all of which must be considered. Other factors that may affect the amount of time required include the number of requests for a particular technology, and the level of involvement needed during license negotiations.

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Commercialization of NASA Johnson Space Center's (JSC) Technologies

1. Will NASA assist me in the job of commercializing so I can focus on technology development?
   We are here to help facilitate legal, marketing, and partnering efforts associated with the commercialization of NASA JSC technologies. Technology commercialization is a joint effort between all parties and is important to the future of NASA and the Nation's economy. Your company's involvement and participation is essential.
   
   
2. What services are available to assist companies with technology transfer?
   NASA has established a Commercial Technology Network (NCTN) to assist companies interested in commercializing NASA technologies. This network includes the Regional Technology Transfer Centers as well as the National Technology Transfer Center.
   

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Confidentiality and Privacy Issues

1. Are discussions with NASA personnel kept confidential so that my competitor cannot learn of company secrets and/or new product development, particularly under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)?
   NASA personnel are required by Federal statutes to protect qualified company proprietary information.
   
   37 CFR 404.14, "Confidentiality of Information," provides additional protection from disclosure as follows: "Title 35, United States Code, section 209, provides that any plan submitted pursuant to section 404.8(h) and any report required by section 404.5(b)(6) may be treated by the Federal agency as commercial and financial information obtained from a person and privileged and confidential and not subject to disclosure under section 552 of Title 5 of the United States Code."
   
   We encourage companies to mark all qualified technical and business proprietary information appropriately.
   
   
2. Does JSC enter into confidentiality agreements with prospective commercial partners to facilitate the exchange of technical information?
   Yes. Information on the types of agreements entered into by NASA JSC may be obtained from the JSC Technology Transfer and Commercialization office.