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A Patent knowhow licence is a legal agreement that lets businesses share technical secrets and practical expertise alongside their patented inventions. It covers the unpatented knowledge needed to effectively use a patented technology - things like manufacturing processes, quality control methods, and specialized techniques that aren't in the patent documents.

In Hong Kong's innovation-driven market, these licenses help local companies access both protected intellectual property and the practical skills to implement it. Under Hong Kong's Patents Ordinance, combining patent rights with knowhow transfer provides stronger protection and more complete technology sharing than a basic patent licence alone.

A Patent knowhow licence becomes essential when you're transferring complex technology that requires specialized expertise to implement effectively. For example, if you're licensing a new manufacturing process to another company in Hong Kong, the patent alone might not give them enough practical information to successfully use your invention.

This combined licence proves particularly valuable in industries like biotech, electronics, and advanced manufacturing, where technical know-how is crucial for success. It helps protect both the patent holder and licensee by clearly defining what technical secrets are being shared, while ensuring compliance with Hong Kong's intellectual property laws and maintaining competitive advantages.

• Exclusive licence with detailed manufacturing processes: Grants sole rights to use both the patent and manufacturing knowhow in Hong Kong
• Non-exclusive licence with training provisions: Allows multiple licensees to use the technology while requiring hands-on training
• Limited-scope licence for specific applications: Restricts knowhow use to particular industries or products
• Time-limited evaluation licence: Permits temporary access to test the technology before full implementation
• Cross-border licence with territorial restrictions: Specifies how patent knowhow can be used across different jurisdictions while maintaining Hong Kong compliance

• Technology Companies: Often act as licensors, sharing their patented innovations and technical expertise with others
• Manufacturing Firms: Typically licensees seeking to implement new technologies in their production processes
• Intellectual Property Lawyers: Draft and negotiate Patent knowhow licence terms to protect both parties' interests
• Technical Experts: Help define the scope of knowhow and provide training specifications
• Company Directors: Authorize and sign these agreements, ensuring alignment with business strategy
• IP Enforcement Officers: Monitor compliance and handle disputes under Hong Kong's IP protection framework

• Patent Details: Gather all patent registration numbers and technical specifications for the licensed technology
• Knowhow Scope: Document specific manufacturing processes, trade secrets, and technical expertise being shared
• Usage Rights: Define exact permissions, territorial limits, and duration of the licence in Hong Kong
• Training Requirements: Outline how technical knowledge will be transferred, including any hands-on training
• Quality Standards: Specify minimum performance requirements and quality control measures
• Confidentiality Terms: List which information must remain secret and for how long
• Payment Structure: Determine royalty rates, upfront fees, and ongoing payment terms

• Identification Section: Full details of licensor, licensee, and patent registration numbers
• Knowhow Definition: Precise description of technical information and trade secrets being shared
• Licence Grant: Clear scope of rights, territorial limits, and usage permissions
• Technical Support: Specific training obligations and knowledge transfer requirements
• Confidentiality Terms: Detailed protection measures for sensitive information
• Payment Terms: Royalty rates, payment schedules, and calculation methods
• Quality Control: Standards and inspection rights for licensed products
• Term and Termination: Duration, renewal options, and grounds for ending the agreement

A Patent knowhow licence differs significantly from a Patent assignment agreement in several key ways. While both deal with patent rights, they serve fundamentally different purposes in Hong Kong's intellectual property landscape.

• Ownership Transfer: A Patent assignment agreement permanently transfers ownership of the patent, while a Patent knowhow licence only grants usage rights while maintaining original ownership
• Scope of Rights: The knowhow licence includes practical expertise and trade secrets beyond the patent itself, whereas the assignment only covers the registered patent rights
• Duration: Licences typically have defined time periods with possible renewals, while assignments are permanent transfers
• Payment Structure: Knowhow licences usually involve ongoing royalties and technical support fees, whereas assignments typically require a one-time payment
• Control Rights: Licensors maintain quality control and can terminate for breaches, but assignors completely relinquish control after transfer