Working With Us

Overview of Licensing Processes

The primary goal of MSUT is to encourage broader utilization of MSU-developed technologies in the industrial community. The following information explains the process for successfully doing business with MSU Technologies.

License Agreements

A license agreement grants exclusive, partially exclusive, or nonexclusive rights to use an MSU technology in a defined field and defined location. Additional agreements that may be used to facilitate the transfer of technology include option agreements, material transfer agreements, confidential disclosure agreements, and others.

License Agreement Steps

MSU owns hundreds of patents and patent applications in many technology categories as well as a large body of copyrighted works.

Legal Requirements

MSU grants licenses on its domestic and foreign patents and patent applications as well as copyrighted works. All licenses are individually negotiated with the prospective licensee, and each license contains terms concerning use of the intellectual property, technology transfer (practical application), license duration, royalties, and periodic reporting.

MSU licenses may be exclusive, partially exclusive (field or geographically limited for example), or nonexclusive.

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How to Apply for a License

The license application process takes place in two stages to minimize the forms required and expedite the negotiation process. Note that the forms and processes are the same for both patent and copyright license interest. MSUT will incorporate all final agreement information into a formal license for signature by both parties.

MSUT uses the information listed below to assist in the license negotiation process. All information should be submitted to:

MSU Technologies
3900 Collins Road, Suite 1044
Lansing, MI 48910
(517) 355-2186

  1. Licensing inquiries should provide information including:
    • Patent application serial number, patent number, and/or MSU case number of the invention
    • Title of the invention
    • Patent issue date (if applicable)
    • Name of and contact information for the person, company, or organization requesting license
    • Type of license being applied for (i.e., exclusive, partially exclusive, or nonexclusive) and any desired limitations (e.g., field of use, geographic)
    • Initial offer for royalty rate schedule, upfront fee, yearly minimums, and milestones

      Note: The negotiation of the license fee is an integral part of the entire licensing process and is determined in light of a variety of considerations.

  2. Once a match between the licensee’s needs and MSU interests is determined, a Development/Marketing Plan must be submitted. This document provides a detailed description of the applicant’s plan for the invention:
    • Anticipated investment capital and other resources necessary to bring the invention to practical application.
    • Capability and intention to fulfill this plan, including information on manufacturing, marketing, financial, and technical resources.
    • A timeline of key steps or milestones required to bring the invention to practical application.
    • A financial and/or annual report.
    • Attachment A: Pro Forma Income Statement specifically related to the products and services using the subject MSU technology.
    • Attachment B: The previously prepared Term Sheet.
    • Any other information the applicant believes will support the application.
    • A recent balance sheet and income statement also are required.