Application for a License Pursuant to Section 153c of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954

10 C.F.R. Part ..., Subpart D
in effectEffective: 2024-07-01

10 C.F.R. § 780.40 Filing of application.

An application to the Department, pursuant to section 153c of the Act, for the issuance of a license to use the invention or discovery covered by a patent useful in the production or utilization of special nuclear material or atomic energy shall be filed with the Board in accordance with requirements of § 780.5.

10 C.F.R. § 780.41 Contents of application.

In addition to the information specified in § 780.5, each application shall contain the following: (a) The applicant's contention, with supporting data, that the invention or discovery covered by the patent is of primary importance in the production or utilization of special nuclear material or atomic energy; (b) The applicant's contention, with supporting data, that the licensing of such invention or discovery is of primary importance to the conduct of the activities of the applicant, including information concerning: (1) The activities in the production or utilization of special nuclear material or atomic energy to which applicant proposes to apply the license; (2) The nature and purpose of the applicant's intended use of the patent license; and (3) The relationship of the invention or discovery to the activities to which it is to be applied, including an estimate of the effect of such activities stemming from the grant or denial of the license. (c) The applicant's contention, with supporting data, that the activities to which the patent license are proposed to be applied are of primary importance to the furtherance of policies and purposes of the Act; (d) The applicant's contention, with supporting data, that such applicant cannot otherwise obtain a patent license from the owner of the patent on terms which are reasonable for the applicant's intended use of the patent, including information concerning: (1) Efforts made by applicant to obtain a patent license from the owner of the patent; and (2) Terms, if any, on which the owner of the patent proposed to grant applicant a patent license. (e) The terms the applicant proposes as reasonable for the patent license; and (f) A copy of any license, permit, or lease obtained by the applicant under the procedures outlined in section 153(c) of the Act.

10 C.F.R. § 780.42 Notice of hearing.

Within thirty (30) days after the filing of the application, the Board will serve on all parties a notice of hearing to be held not later than sixty (60) days after the filing of the application.

10 C.F.R. § 780.43 Response.

Any party may file a response with the Board containing a concise statement of the facts or law or any other relevant information in opposition to or in support of the application which that party believes should be considered by the Board. Such response must be filed by a party within twenty (20) days after being served a copy of the application.

10 C.F.R. § 780.44 Hearing and decision.

In accordance with section 153d of the Act, the Board shall hold a hearing and issue a final decision on the application.

10 C.F.R. § 780.45 Criteria for decision to issue a license.

A license shall issue to the applicant to use the invention covered by the patent for the purposes stated in the application upon a final decision that: (a) The invention or discovery covered by the patent is of primary importance in the production or utilization of special nuclear material or atomic energy; (b) The licensing of such invention or discovery is of primary importance to the conduct of the activities of the applicant; (c) The activities to which the patent license is proposed to be applied by such applicant are of primary importance to the furtherance of policies and purposes of the Act; and (d) The applicant has made efforts to obtain reasonable commercial terms and conditions and such efforts have not been successful within a reasonable period of time. The requirement to make such efforts may be waived by the Board in the case of a national emergency or other circumstances of extreme urgency or in cases of public non-commercial use. Where this requirement is waived due to national emergency or other circumstances of extreme urgency, the owner of the patent shall be notified as soon as reasonably practicable. Where this requirement is waived for a public non-commercial use, the owner of the patent shall be notified promptly.

10 C.F.R. § 780.46 Communication of decision to General Counsel.

When the Board decides to issue a patent license under section 153c of the Act, the Board shall send the decision to the General Counsel and instruct the General Counsel to issue the license on terms deemed equitable by the Department and generally not less fair than those granted by the patentee or by the Department to similar licensees for comparable use.

10 C.F.R. § 780.47 Conditions and issuance of license.

(a) Upon receipt of the Board's decision and instruction to issue a patent license, the General Counsel shall issue a license which complies with the following: (1) The scope and durations of such use shall be limited to the purpose for which it was authorized; (2) Such use shall be non-exclusive; (3) Such use shall be non-assignable, except with that part of the enterprise or goodwill that enjoys such use; (4) Any such use shall be authorized predominantly for the supply of the U.S. market; and, (5) Authorization for such use shall be liable, subject to adequate protection of the legitimate interests of the persons so authorized, to be terminated if and when the circumstances that led to it cease to exist and are unlikely to recur. (b) The Board shall have the authority to review, on motivated request, the continued existence of these circumstances. The parties will propose and agree on a reasonable royalty fee within a reasonable time as determined by the General Counsel. A reasonable royalty shall provide adequate remuneration for the circumstances of each case, taking into account the economic value of the authorization. If a party does not agree with the terms and conditions of the license as determined by the General Counsel or if a royalty fee cannot be agreed upon within the reasonable time period established by the General Counsel, any party may, within 30 days after the expiration of such time period, initiate a proceeding before the Board, in accordance with subpart E of this part, for a reconsideration of the General Counsel's determination. After the proceeding under subpart E of this part is completed, the General Counsel shall modify the patent license in accordance with the Board's determination.

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