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IP protection involves filing for a patent (or copyright in the case of software) for technologies developed at Goddard. Because of the fees associated with patenting and because not every innovation is patentable, Goddard’s Innovative Partnerships Program first conducts an assessment to determine whether pursuing IP protection for a new technology is appropriate.

If the assessment concludes that patent protection should be pursued, IPP works with Goddard’s Office of Patent Counsel to ensure that the necessary paperwork is filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and then begins to actively pursue technology transfer partnerships. Technologies not selected for patenting still enter the technology transfer process, which might include promoting the technology in journals such as NASA Tech Briefs* or on Web sites. If a technology is still in the “idea phase,” IPP might wait for further development or look into ways to provide additional project funding.

IP protection is important for those NASA technologies that have potential in the commercial marketplace as either a new product, an improvement to existing products, or a means to improve productivity. Companies seeking to use Goddard technologies for these purposes consider them valuable. Yet that value can be compromised, in some cases, if Goddard does not secure IP protection and other companies are able to have equal access to the technology, eliminating the opportunity to gain a competitive edge.

Furthermore, in most cases when a patented technology is licensed, Goddard negotiates to receive a licensing fee as well as upfront and ongoing royalty payments. These payments are shared by the inventor, which provides an incentive to develop high-quality inventions, and Goddard, which increases the return on the taxpayers’ investment.

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