European Nuclear Lab CERN Launches New “Easy IP” Plan

Does the idea of a multifunctional, versatile position-sensitive detector for measuring characteristics of a beam of particles spark ideas for useful products of benefit to society and the economy? If so, then CERN has just the thing for you. In an attempt to boost the utility of its research, the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), the Geneva-based intergovernmental laboratory, today announced a plan to offer its patented technologies for licence royalty-free in order to promote innovation.

CERN, known for the Large Hadron Collider (no, creating black holes in the universe does not qualify as useful) and the invention of the World Wide Web (yes, that’s right), is putting some of its latest ideas on the market.

Now, under the “Easy Access IP” programme, businesses and entrepreneurs can sign an exclusive or non-exclusive licence agreement with the organisation and work with a CERN-owned idea royalty-free. Under the exclusive [pdf] and non-exclusive [pdf] licence agreements, CERN has a say in what the technology is used for, has no liability, retains the patent rights, and makes no guarantees about the technologies.

“The full portfolio is available through a wide range of channels including R&D collaborations, services and consultancy, support to spin-off companies and the creation of business incubation centres in CERN’s Member States,” CERN said in a release.

Easy Access IP was first trialled by the Easy Access Initiative, a collaborative project between the University of Glasgow, King’s College London and the University of Bristol, CERN said.

In the example of the multifunctional detector, the technology consists of “a microwire-based monitor that allows measuring non-destructively the spatial profile, divergence, and intensity of UV, x-ray, and charged particle beams, including anti-particles.”

Other available technologies include a 3D Magnetic Sensor Calibrator, RF Waveguide Vacuum Valve, Thermally Insulatable Vessel, and a Cryogenic Optical Fiber Temperature Sensor. The details are here.

“Sometimes our technologies are too early stage for a company to risk investment,” Giovanni Anelli, head of CERN’s Knowledge Transfer Group, said in the release. “By offering free access, we aim to encourage our partners to evaluate and commercialise those technologies, thus making it easier for CERN and industry, both spin-off companies and established ones, to work together.”

“The technologies licenced under the Easy Access IP scheme will be royalty free and shared with qualified companies willing and able to take them to the market with clear benefits for the economy and for society,” said Enrico Chesta, head of the Technology Transfer and IP Management Section. “The return for us is the establishment of strong, lasting relationships with external partners.”

CERN, headquartered in Geneva, is the world’s leading laboratory for particle physics. Member states include: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Romania is a candidate for accession. Israel and Serbia are associate members in the pre-stage to membership. India, Japan, the Russian Federation, the United States, Turkey, the European Commission and UNESCO (UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) have observer status.