Intellectual property is not to be equated with patents, which represent only a very small fraction of CERN's knowledge transfer activities. 

 

Intellectual property (IP) lies at the core of transferring unique CERN knowledge to its industrial and institutional partners. It enables CERN to claim being at the origin of a novel technology and be recognised when products or services based on its unique contributions reach society at large. Intellectual property is not to be equated with patents, which represent only a very small fraction of CERN's knowledge transfer activities.

What opportunities are available?

CERN’s technical expertise and most innovative technologies are available for scientific and commercial purposes through a variety of technology transfer opportunities.

Licensing

CERN grants licences to commercial and academic partners for the exploitation of its technologies.

Find out about the latest licensing opportunities by browsing through the CERN know-how and technology portfolio here.

R&D collaborations

CERN has a well-established tradition of collaboration with companies and research institutes, with the objective of generating technological results having a potential for commercial exploitation. In this framework, the research goals are agreed and achieved through a collaborative contribution of technologies and/or resources.

Collaborative R&D projects can be devloped in CERN's areas of technical expertise, such as superconductivity to ultra-high vacuum, from detectors to ICT.

Service and Consultancy

CERN's expertise and cutting edge infrasturctures represent a unique opportunity for companies and academics in need of a specific high-tech service.

Our experts in the many areas of technical excellence are available to provide professional advice or specific studies to your business.

CERN Tech in your Start-up

CERN encourages the creation of new companies based on CERN technologies (spin-offs) and the use of CERN technology in existing start-ups. We offer special licensing opportunities for start-ups and spin-offs.

CERN has adopted a spin-off policy to set the scope and details of CERN’s support to companies that build on CERN technologies. Read more about the CERN Spin-off Policy here.