A DOE invention refers to an invention that is protected by a U.S. or foreign patent or patent application, which is owned by the United States government. This ownership is represented by the Department of Energy (DOE) or its predecessors. The DOE designates certain inventions as eligible for licensing, which may include options for nonexclusive, exclusive, or partially exclusive licenses.
DOE inventions are primarily relevant in the field of intellectual property law, particularly concerning patents. These inventions can be licensed for commercial use, allowing private entities to utilize government-owned technology. Users can manage the licensing process through various legal forms and templates available, such as those offered by US Legal Forms, which are drafted by experienced attorneys.
Here are a couple of examples of abatement:
Example 1: A new energy-efficient technology developed under a government-funded research program is patented and owned by the DOE. The DOE decides to license this technology to a private company to promote its commercial use.
Example 2: A university collaborates with the DOE on a project that results in a patentable invention. The DOE may offer a license to the university or a third party for further development and commercialization (hypothetical example).
| Term | Definition | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Patent | A legal right granted for an invention. | A DOE invention specifically refers to patents owned by the government. |
| License | A permission to use a patented invention. | DOE inventions can be licensed under specific government regulations. |
If you believe you have developed a DOE invention or are interested in licensing one, consider the following steps:
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| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Ownership | U.S. government |
| Licensing Types | Nonexclusive, exclusive, partially exclusive |
| Legal Area | Intellectual property law |
A DOE invention is a patentable invention owned by the U.S. government, specifically the Department of Energy.