BOBROWICZ, Donna

Abstract: This chapter provides a road map for licensing professionals to identify the most common terms, contractual obligations, and other provisions that are likely to be encountered in crafting a license agreement. Emphasis is placed on agricultural technology licenses. Since most people engaged in deal making are involved in multiple deals at the same time, important aspects can be forgotten or overlooked at any time and for any deal. The checklist format allows the licensing practitioner to check off each item once it has been addressed to the parties’ satisfaction. While expansive, it does not necessarily fit all contexts and is therefore intended to serve as a basis from which institutions and individuals can develop their own checklists.

Abstract: Licensing between companies of both traits and varieties is routine, and there is no reason that it should be anything other than routine between companies and public sector institutions, as well. Some public entities struggle to gain experience in this area. This leads companies to shun negotiations and, even, discussions. Yet opportunities for the public sector to in-license traits (in the form of well-characterized and deregulated transgenic “events”) and varieties are vast and could lead to earlier access with respect to transgenic events (through backcrossing into local varieties) and to improved varieties for subsistence farmers. In order to improve the ability of the public sector to both in-license and out-license germplasm, a test version of a software program, the “Computer Generated Contract Template System” (CoGenCo), was developed. It aims to facilitate the exchange (or licensing) of commercial varieties by “walking” potential licensors and licensees though a systematic list of questions and tested parameters. CoGenCo is a pragmatic way of increasing the licensing of both finished varieties and germplasm containing transgenes for backcrossing, and its flexibility would make it especially suited for use in developing countries. This chapter explains the concept behind the software’s test version and leads the reader through its use. The authors very much welcome comments and suggestions about the software and look forward to collaborating with interested parties to further develop CoGenCo into a comprehensive and widely available system.