Process Technology Licensing: An Interface Of Engineering And Business

New technologies are developed at a high rate in many areas like in process industries. Basis for new technologies are inventions and innovations generating intellectual property rights. By licensing, permission is granted to others to use these rights under controlled circumstances. Technology licensing often includes not only patents but for example also know-how, design and trademarks.Drivers for in-or out-licensing of process technologies are manifold. Some very important drivers include, reducing own development risks, speeding up commercialization, earning royalties or partnering with other companies, all of which are business reasons. Engineering know-how of the in-licensing party is necessary to assess the technology, the own development options, the fit within the companies' value chain, and foremost, to calculate the cost benefit using a new process technology. Relevant engineering know-how of the out-licensing party is in offering and selling the technology: engineers need to describe the advantages for licensees, design and optimize the process, or calculate potential license fees by analyzing the benefits of the technology for the licensee.The licensing business requires continuous development of the licensed technology. Processes need to be analyzed and continuously improved. Specific and optimized designs for licensees are required based on the licensee's design or optimization targets and constraints. Examples from ongoing business will be used to describe the engineering-business-interface.