Overview
Title
Notice of Intent To Grant a Partially Exclusive License
Agencies
ELI5 AI
NASA is thinking about giving a company called Aquatherm LP permission to use some of its inventions for a special kind of sensors to check things made from plastic pipes and containers. People have a short time to tell NASA if they think this is a bad idea.
Summary AI
NASA is announcing its intention to grant Aquatherm LP a partially exclusive license for several U.S. patents related to wireless sensors and other technologies. This license is focused on polypropylene and plastic containers and pipes in residential settings. NASA is accepting written objections until January 29, 2021, for those who believe this license would not align with federal requirements. If objections are submitted, they will remain confidential under the Freedom of Information Act.
Abstract
NASA hereby gives notice of its intent to grant a partially exclusive patent license in the United States to practice the inventions described and claimed in U.S. Patent No. 7,075,295 B2 for an invention titled "Magnetic Field Response Sensor for Conductive Media," NASA Case Number LAR-16571-1; U.S. Patent No. 7,589,525 B2 for an invention titled "Magnetic Field Response Sensor for Conductive Media," NASA Case Number LAR-16571-2; U.S. Patent No. 7,759,932 B2 for an invention titled "Magnetic Field Response Sensor for Conductive Media," NASA Case Number LAR-16571-3; U.S. Patent No. 7,086,593 B2 for an invention titled "Magnetic Field Response Measurement Acquisition System," NASA Case Number LAR-16908-1; U.S. Patent No. 7,047,807 B2 for an invention titled "Flexible Framework for Capacitive Sensing," NASA Case Number LAR-16974-1; U.S. Patent No. 7,159,774 B2 for an invention titled "Magnetic Field Response Measurement Acquisition System," NASA Case Number LAR-17280-1; U.S. Patent No. 8,430,327 B2 for an invention titled "Wireless Sensing System Using Open-Circuit, Electrically-Conductive Spiral-Trace Sensor," NASA Case Number LAR-17294-1; U.S. Patent No. 8,673,649 B2 for an invention titled "Wireless Chemical Sensor and Sensing Method for Use Therewith," NASA Case Number LAR-17579-1; U.S. Patent No. 9,329,149 B2 for an invention titled "Wireless Chemical Sensor and Sensing Method for Use Therewith," NASA Case Number LAR- 17579-2; U.S. Patent No. 9,733,203 B2 for an invention titled "Wireless Chemical Sensing Method," NASA Case Number LAR-17579-3; U.S. Patent No. 10,031,031 B2 for an invention titled "Wireless Temperature Sensing Method Using No Electrical Connections," NASA Case Number LAR-17747-1-CON; U.S. Patent No. 10,605,673 B2 for an invention titled "Wireless Temperature Sensor Having No Electrical Connections," NASA Case Number LAR-17747-2-CON; U.S. Patent No. 10,180,341 B2 for an invention titled "Multi-Layer Wireless Sensor Construct for Use at Electrically- Conductive Material Surfaces," NASA Case Number LAR-18399-1; and U.S. Patent Application No. 10,193,228 B2 for an invention titled "Antenna for Far Field Transceiving," NASA Case Number LAR-18400-1 to Aquatherm LP, having its principal place of business in Lindon, UT. The fields of use may be limited to polypropylene and plastic containers and pipes, and associated fittings and joints, within residential structures, and including but not limited to the non-destructive evaluation of the aforementioned containers and pipes and the detection of conditions and states of the contents therein, and/or similar field(s) of use thereto. NASA has not yet made a determination to grant the requested license and may deny the requested license even if no objections are submitted within the comment period.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
NASA has issued a notice announcing its intention to grant Aquatherm LP a partially exclusive patent license for a collection of U.S. patents related to wireless sensors and technologies. The proposed license would apply specifically to the use of these technologies in polypropylene and plastic containers and pipes, particularly within residential structures. This is of notable interest as NASA's technologies, developed for use in space and advanced scientific research, are being adapted for more terrestrial applications.
Summary and Context
The notice serves to inform the public of NASA's plans to potentially grant this license, essential for understanding government-to-private sector collaborations. Aquatherm LP, a company based in Lindon, Utah, stands to gain access to these patents if no objections are substantiated within a specified period. The advancement of these inventions into everyday infrastructure could lead to improvements in the maintenance and evaluation of plumbing and similar systems within residential settings.
Issues and Concerns
A few notable concerns arise from this document:
Lack of Transparent Criteria: The notice does not provide detailed criteria for how NASA will ultimately decide to grant the license. This lack of transparency might leave stakeholders unclear about their chance of influencing the decision-making process.
Undefined Exclusivity: It is unclear why the license is only partially exclusive and where the boundary lies regarding what other parties might access these patented technologies.
Technical Jargon: The language and technical nature of patent descriptions could pose comprehension challenges for those unfamiliar with such terms, possibly limiting public engagement or concern submission.
Brief Response Period: Interested parties have only until January 29, 2021, to submit objections or competing applications, a timeline which could be considered insufficient for thorough examination and response preparation.
Choice of Licensee: The notice fails to clarify why Aquatherm LP was chosen, raising questions about the selection criteria and whether other possibly deserving entities were considered.
Potential Impacts
Broad Public Impact
The licensing of these technologies could catalyze advancements in household maintenance and safety, potentially leading to innovations that enhance the longevity and reliability of residential plumbing systems. Products integrating NASA's pioneering sensor technologies could lead to better detection of wear and tear or dangerous conditions within homes, possibly decreasing the likelihood of plumbing failures or leaks.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Aquatherm LP: The company could significantly benefit from exclusive access to NASA's technologies, positioning itself ahead of competitors in the plumbing solutions market.
Competitors and Other Innovators: They might view the partial exclusivity as limiting, although this impact would be minimized if the exclusivity is well-defined and reasonable avenues for obtaining licenses remain open.
Regulators and Public Policy Advocates: There may be concerns about ensuring the licensing aligns with public interest and NASA's mission, particularly in demonstrating how such agreements benefit the broader public and not solely private enterprise.
In conclusion, while the licensing notice presents substantial opportunities to leverage NASA's innovations for public benefit, enough ambiguity remains that merits further clarification and consideration by stakeholders. A transparent and comprehensive review process could ensure that the benefits of this agreement are maximized across society while aligning it with NASA's broader strategic goals.
Issues
• The notice does not clearly explain the criteria or process that NASA will use to decide whether to grant the license, beyond stating that objections can be filed.
• The document does not clearly specify why the license is partially exclusive and what other entities, if any, might have access to these patents.
• The language used in describing the patents and their applications is technical and could be difficult for laypersons to understand.
• The timeframe given for objections and competing applications (approximately two weeks) may be too short for some interested parties to prepare their responses.
• The specific reasons or considerations for choosing Aquatherm LP as the potential licensee are not detailed in the notice.
• A wide range of patents is being considered for a partially exclusive license without specifying which aspects of the inventions will be exclusively licensed.
• There is no discussion of how the licensing agreement aligns with NASA's broader mission or public interest beyond compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.