Licensing your patent and reducing renewal fees.
Application
In countries such as the UK and Germany, you are able to apply for a License of Right for a patent. If a patent is endorsed License of Right, you must be willing to grant anyone a license for the invention it protects. The patent offices police the granting of licenses if a patent holder is not conforming to the terms of License of Right.
In the UK, applications can be made free of charge any time after the patent is published using patent office Form 28.
Before you endorse your patent, RenewalsDesk advises that you discuss this with your patent agent.
Renewal Fee Reductions
A patent endorsed license of right is subject to reduced renewal fees.
In the UK, renewal fees are halved. To benefit from the reduction in fees for a particular year, the application must be made at least 10 days before renewal.
Determining Current Status
RenewalsDesk can assist you with checking the current License of Right status of your patent. Email care@renewalsdesk.com.
Cancellation
A License of Right can be cancelled with the UK patent office at any time using Form 30 without any processing fee. However, the savings made on renewal fees during the period the patent was endorsed must then be paid.