The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is the first UK government organisation to sign up to the Easy Access intellectual property (IP) scheme.

The scheme is aimed at promoting new ways of sharing IP and adopting new approaches to make it easier for Dstl to work with other research organisations and industry, thus ensuring new technologies are made available to those best placed to exploit them.

Dstl is initially making six patent families available under the scheme, which range from protective garments to animal training aids. They are:

• A Protective Garment Comprising an Antenna
• A Helmet Comprising Air Vents
• A Rucksack for Connecting to Electrical Devices
• Blunt impact head injury model
• Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase attenuated Francisella
• Animal training system and method

Easy Access IP originated from the University of Glasgow, working with King’s College London and the University of Bristol, which recognised that some IP can be difficult to commercialise through traditional ways, either because it’s too early stage or presents some uncertainties for a company to risk investment.

Easy Access IP addresses this by offering technologies free of upfront fees or royalties, using quick and simple agreements, to make it easy for companies to access the IP and put it to use.

Professor Jon Cooper, Vice Principal for Knowledge Exchange and Innovation at the University of Glasgow said: “The Easy Access approach is a model for promoting the exploitation of Intellectual Property that was originally pioneered by the University of Glasgow, and we are therefore delighted that Dstl is joining the growing number of research institutes that have chosen to adopt it. We look forward to working with Dstl on this exciting development, further raising the awareness of its structure and role in stimulating innovation.”

Dstl’s Head of IP, Graham Farnsworth said by offering free access to some of Dstl’s IP, which has a lower technology readiness level, our partners can evaluate and put things to use quickly: “We hope that this scheme will allow us to develop new relationships with industry and academia, and by releasing appropriate IP in this manner we hope our innovative ideas can be developed, benefitting the economy and society as a whole.”

People are invited to submit a statement of intent for a license, outlining their plan for future development and exploitation.

Dstl’s technology transfer company, Ploughshare Innovations Limited, will continue to commercialise technologies through spin-outs and licensing, focussing on those of a higher complexity in nature requiring multi-party arrangements or financial investment, as well as those which are strategic for Dstl and the Ministry of Defence.

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For more information contact the Dstl press office on 01980 658666, 07901 892660, press@dstl.gov.uk

First published: 5 February 2015