Practice Area
IP licensing & technology transfer.
Drafting, review and negotiation of IP licensing agreements, assignments and technology-transfer deals across sectors.
IP Licensing Services
Comprehensive Guide to IP Licensing
Expert counsel for licensing agreements, technology transfers, and IP commercialisation strategies across India and international markets.
What is IP Licensing?
IP licensing is the process by which an IP owner (licensor) grants permission to another party (licensee) to use the IP rights in exchange for consideration — typically royalty fees. Licensing allows IP owners to commercialise their rights while retaining ownership.
Patent Licensing
Licensing rights to manufacture, use, or sell patented inventions.
Trademark Licensing
Permitting use of trademarks under agreed quality control standards.
Copyright Licensing
Licensing reproduction, adaptation, distribution, performance or display rights.
Technology Transfer
Transfer of know-how, trade secrets, and technical assistance agreements.
Types of IP Licences
Exclusive Licence
Only the licensee can use the IP. Even the licensor cannot use the IP during the licence period (unless reserved).
Non-exclusive Licence
Licensor can grant the same rights to multiple licensees and may also use the IP themselves.
Sole Licence
Licensor grants rights to only one licensee but retains the right to use the IP themselves.
Compulsory Licence
Government-mandated licence under the Patents Act, 1970 where patentee has not worked the patent sufficiently or where national emergency warrants.
Sub-licence
Licensee grants rights to a third party, permitted only if sub-licensing rights are included in the primary licence agreement.
Cross-licence
Two or more parties grant each other licences to their respective IP portfolios, often used to resolve patent disputes.
Key Provisions in an IP Licence Agreement
Grant of Licence
Scope of rights granted — exclusive, non-exclusive, field of use, territory
Royalty & Consideration
Payment structure — upfront fee, running royalties, milestone payments
Term & Termination
Duration of licence and grounds for early termination
Quality Control
Especially critical in trademark licences to maintain brand standards
IP Ownership & Improvements
Ownership of improvements made by licensee during the licence period
Enforcement Obligations
Rights and obligations of licensor and licensee to enforce against third-party infringers
Indemnification
Allocation of risk between licensor and licensee for third-party IP infringement claims
Governing Law & Dispute Resolution
Applicable law, jurisdiction, and dispute resolution mechanism (litigation or arbitration)
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