How long does the patent licensing process take? How much will it cost me in upfront money?
The process generally takes about 3 to 4 months after receipt of the Patent License Request and Development/Marketing Plan for a nonexclusive license. Exclusive licenses take longer and are highly dependent on the complexity of the application. The time frame for exclusive licenses includes a mandatory waiting period of 15 days, during which time a member of the public can file a written objection. Upfront fees generally are set according to the value of the technology and are negotiable.