Overview
Title
Notice of Intent To Grant an Exclusive, Co-Exclusive or Partially Exclusive Patent License
Agencies
ELI5 AI
NASA wants to let a company called Volt AI use some of its special inventions, like wireless gadgets. People have until March 24, 2025, to say if they think this is not a good idea or if they also want to use these inventions, but even if no one disagrees, NASA might still say no.
Summary AI
NASA has announced its intention to grant a patent license to Volt AI, LLC, allowing them to use certain inventions related to wireless sensing systems and other technologies. These inventions are covered by a range of U.S. patents, and NASA will grant either an exclusive, co-exclusive, or partially exclusive license. The public has until March 24, 2025, to submit any written objections or competing applications to prevent the license from being granted. The decision to grant the license is still pending, and NASA retains the right to deny it even if no objections are raised.
Abstract
NASA hereby gives notice of its intent to grant an exclusive, co-exclusive or partially exclusive patent license to practice the inventions described and claimed in the patents and/or patent applications listed in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION below.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
NASA has officially announced its intention to grant a patent license to Volt AI, LLC. This license would allow the company to utilize several innovations that are protected under various U.S. patents. These inventions mostly involve wireless sensing systems and related technologies. The potential license could be exclusive, co-exclusive, or partially exclusive, meaning Volt AI could have significant control over these technologies, depending on the license type.
Summary of the Document
The document serves as a public notification of NASA's plans to issue a patent license. It provides detailed information on the nature of the license and the related patents. Specifically, it lists a range of patents, such as those for wireless fluid level measurement systems and wireless chemical sensors. These technologies reflect advances in fields that could significantly benefit sectors focusing on remote sensing and monitoring.
Significant Issues and Concerns
There are several notable issues with the document:
Lack of Criteria for Objection Evaluation: The document does not specify the criteria that NASA will use to evaluate objections. This omission could lead to ambiguity and the perception of an unfair or unclear decision-making process.
Transparency Concerns: The notice states that objections will not be made public or released under the Freedom of Information Act. While this may be standard procedure, it does raise questions about transparency since the public will not have insight into the nature of objections received, nor into the reasons behind potential denials of licensing.
Undefined Scope of License: The document mentions that fields of use may be limited, but it does not clarify what these limitations might entail. This lack of specificity can cause confusion as to what extent Volt AI would actually be able to apply these innovated technologies.
Complex Regulatory References: Heavy reliance on specialized legal codes and regulations, such as 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR 404.7, could make it difficult for individuals unfamiliar with legal terminologies to comprehend the full implications of the notice.
Impact on the Public and Stakeholders
The broader public may be impacted by how these technologies are eventually used, especially if they lead to advancements in fields like non-invasive monitoring or chemical sensing that could improve public safety or environmental monitoring.
Certain stakeholders, particularly those in the technology and innovation sectors, could be positively impacted by the granting of this license. It could lead to advancements in technology development and application, potentially benefiting commercial and industrial sectors.
Conversely, the lack of transparency and unclear processes might have negative repercussions for potential stakeholders who wish to contest the license or submit competing applications. This lack of clarity could deter them from engaging in the process, limiting competitive opportunities.
In conclusion, while NASA's intention to grant a patent license could stimulate technological advancement and offer significant commercial potential, the absence of clear objection criteria and concerns about process transparency poses challenges. Addressing these could lead to better stakeholder engagement and ensure that the process is viewed as fair and equitable by the public.
Issues
• The document does not provide detailed criteria for evaluating objections to the grant of the license, which might leave room for ambiguity in the decision-making process.
• The document states that objections will not be made public or available under the Freedom of Information Act, which might raise concerns about transparency in the licensing process.
• The notice does not specify the potential fields of use that may be limited for the licensee, which could lead to misunderstandings about the scope of the license being granted.
• The summary and supplementary information sections heavily rely on administrative codes and regulations (e.g., 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR 404.7), which may not be easily understood by individuals unfamiliar with these regulations.