MITRE Opens Its IP Catalog to Accelerate Innovation for Warfighters

A marine technology company is testing a MITRE approach to improve embedded energy storage for unmanned systems, EV structures, and aerospace applications.

A technology company is evaluating applications of our IP to technology powering its uncrewed aircraft. 

Both are working with patented MITRE approaches that are among thousands available through a Department of War (DoW) Patent Holiday, an initiative accelerating commercial solutions to the warfighter. 

The Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering launched the program to streamline the flow of technology to national security missions. The patent catalog includes offerings from the nation's DoW laboratories and federally funded R&D centers (FFRDCs). Of hundreds of patents MITRE submitted, 14 were selected initially. 

“It’s critical that we make available IP from FFRDCs and federal laboratories as fuel for industry-driven solutions,” said Charles Clancy, MITRE chief technology officer and senior vice president of MITRE Labs.

“This is a powerful and deliberate way to help companies de-risk adoption, speed commercialization, and accelerate mission-focused innovation,” said Keoki Jackson, senior vice president and general manager of MITRE National Security. “It’s a significant step to more rapidly transitioning critical capabilities into the hands of warfighters and the broader economy.”

Special License Covers 2-Year Test Period

Companies can work with MITRE and others represented on the DoW list to obtain a free commercial evaluation license, or CEL. The agreement represents a “try-before-you-buy” period to assess the technical, market, and business potential of the patent without the usual upfront costs. 

“Industry can do their internal research, development, and experimentation and come back to MITRE for the next phase of licensing if they decide to commercialize or develop a product from that innovation,” said Allison Reardon, industry engagement director, MITRE Technology Transition and Partnerships. 

As the first organization to issue a CEL through the Patent Holiday, MITRE was an initial mover in helping to deliver the program’s intended effects: lower barriers to evaluation, accelerate commercialization, and deliver operationally relevant capabilities faster, Reardon said.

MITRE Expands Options for Tech Testing

Poornima Deshpande, technology transfer team lead, said companies shopping the DoW Patent Holiday catalog aren’t limited to just the MITRE patents it includes. They also have access to the 474 patents, prototype technologies, and open-source projects in our IP database. 

“We will work with them,” Deshpande said. If another MITRE patent may be a better match for the applicant’s goal, they can obtain a CEL for it. In fact, of the first three companies to reach out to MITRE since the program began, one wound up choosing a MITRE patent that is not on the DoW list. 

“Our evaluation process for licensing or a CEL is short and succinct. We want this to be fast and easy for the licensees,” she said. After a concise but thorough vetting process, companies can obtain the CEL. 

“We also make it known that our inventors and staff are available to the licensee if they need help during the evaluation,” Deshpande said. “It’s important that they understand what technology we are giving them and how they can use it.”

Companies can reach out to MITRE in several ways. The DoW site includes a TechLink submission form that companies can complete to express interest in a particular patent. Applicants can also reach out directly to Reardon, whose email address is on the TechLink form. Or they can connect through our Intellectual Property page.