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A Patent knowhow licence is a legal agreement that lets companies share both patented technology and the practical expertise needed to use it effectively. Unlike standard patent licences, it covers the valuable technical knowledge, trade secrets, and operational methods that make the patented invention work in practice.

Under Irish intellectual property law, these agreements protect both the patent holder and licensee while enabling smooth technology transfer. They're particularly important in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and engineering sectors, where technical details and hands-on experience often matter as much as the patent itself. The licence typically includes training, documentation, and ongoing support to help the licensee implement the technology successfully.

Consider a Patent knowhow licence when you're licensing technology that requires specialized knowledge to implement successfully. This is especially relevant in Irish manufacturing and pharmaceutical sectors, where simply having patent rights isn't enough—you need the practical expertise to make it work.

Use this type of licence when sharing complex technical processes, detailed manufacturing methods, or specialized operational procedures. It's particularly valuable when your technology requires specific training, ongoing support, or access to confidential techniques. Irish companies often use these licences to protect both their patented innovations and the crucial know-how that makes them commercially viable.

• Exclusive Patent knowhow licences give one company complete rights to use both the patent and associated expertise in a specific territory
• Non-exclusive licences let patent holders share their technology and knowledge with multiple licensees
• Field-of-use licences restrict the knowhow use to specific industries or applications
• Manufacturing-focused licences concentrate on production processes and technical specifications
• Research and development licences emphasize experimental use and further innovation

• Technology Companies: Act as licensors, sharing their patented innovations and technical expertise with other businesses
• Manufacturing Firms: License both patents and operational knowledge to produce complex products effectively
• IP Lawyers: Draft and negotiate these specialized agreements to protect both technical and practical knowledge
• Technical Experts: Provide detailed specifications and training requirements for the knowhow transfer
• Research Institutions: Share patented discoveries and research methodologies with commercial partners
• Quality Control Teams: Ensure proper implementation of licensed technologies and processes

• Patent Details: Gather all patent registration numbers, technical specifications, and territorial scope
• Technical Documentation: Compile detailed process guides, training materials, and operational manuals
• Usage Parameters: Define exact scope of permitted use, industry limitations, and geographical boundaries
• Quality Standards: Outline minimum performance requirements and quality control measures
• Support Terms: Specify training commitments, ongoing technical assistance, and knowledge transfer methods
• Commercial Terms: Determine royalty structures, payment schedules, and performance milestones
• Confidentiality Scope: Identify all trade secrets and proprietary information requiring protection

• Patent Identification: Full details of the patent, including registration numbers and jurisdictional coverage
• Knowhow Definition: Precise description of technical knowledge, trade secrets, and operational methods being licensed
• Licence Scope: Clear terms on exclusivity, territory, and permitted uses of both patent and knowhow
• Knowledge Transfer: Specific provisions for training, documentation, and ongoing technical support
• Confidentiality Terms: Detailed protection measures for sensitive technical information
• Quality Control: Standards and monitoring requirements for implementation
• Commercial Terms: Payment structure, royalties, and performance metrics
• Term and Termination: Duration, renewal options, and grounds for early termination

A Patent knowhow licence differs significantly from a Patent assignment agreement in both scope and purpose. While both deal with patent rights, they serve fundamentally different business needs.

• Ownership Transfer: Patent assignment agreements permanently transfer ownership of the patent, while knowhow licences maintain the original owner's rights while sharing usage rights
• Knowledge Scope: Knowhow licences include practical expertise and trade secrets beyond the patent itself, whereas assignments only cover the patented innovation
• Duration: Licences typically have defined terms with renewal options, while assignments are permanent transfers
• Support Obligations: Knowhow licences usually include ongoing technical support and training commitments, which assignments don't require
• Commercial Structure: Licences often involve recurring royalties and performance metrics, while assignments usually involve a one-time payment