Kasan Insight :: 과학, 기술 그리고 법

- 제약/화학/바이오 분야의 실용적 법률정보와 해결방안

1. 머리말

대학기술을 license하여 산학공동협력연구 Research Collaboration Agreement를 체결하는 경우 후속 연구개발성과에 대한 권리귀속, 그 기술을 대기업 등 제3자에게 다시 license하거나 이전하는 등 사업화하여 수익을 창출할 수 있는 sublicense 단계에서의 수익배분 문제는 핵심쟁점 중 하나입니다.

최대한 파이를 키워야만 서로 나누어 가질 조각도 커진다는 기본전제는 분명합니다. 먼저 파이를 키우는 후속 연구개발과 sublicense는 서로 적극적으로 지원해야 합니다. 그 다음 파이조각 나누기는 쉽지 않습니다. 왜냐하면, 후속 연구개발성과에 대한 권리관계 판단이 쉽지 않기 때문입니다. 통상 sublicense는 원천기술보다 후속 연구개발성과를 본 후 원천기술에 그것을 포함하여 대상으로 하거나 원천기술보다 후속 연구개발성과를 주된 대상기술로 하기 때문입니다. 후속연구개발에 대한 기여도가 똑같지 않기 때문에 소유권 또는 지분권 등에 관한 분쟁 가능성이 높습니다.

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특히 대학교수가 licensee 기업으로부터 위탁연구용역을 수주하는 경우도 많기 때문에 위탁연구 관련 발명의 발명자에 해당하는지 아니면 단순 외주 용역에 불과한지, 특히 소속대학은 직무발명 법리에 근거한 지분권이 있는지 등등 복잡한 문제가 생깁니다. 아래에서 미국대학 중 기술이전 실적이 많고 또 소송 등 권리행사에 적극적인 Wisconsin 대학의 분쟁사례 판결을 참고로 소개합니다.

2. 기술이전 및 산학협력연구

가. 대학기술 라이선스 및 산학협동연구

1999년 Wisconsin 대학교수는 SCD 저해화합물의 콜레스테롤 저하 효능을 발견하였고, Wisconsin 대학산학협력단에서 2000년 연구결과에 대한 provisional patent application을 출원하였습니다. 그 후 캐나다 제약회사 Xenon에서 특허출원기술을 포함한 exclusive license agreement 및 Wisconsin 대학교수를 포함한 연구진과 콜레스테롤 저하 효능의 신약개발에 관한 공동연구개발계약을 체결하고, 공동연구개발을 진행하여 다수 신물질의 효과를 확인하였습니다. Xenon사는 그 다음 해 2001년 provisional patent application에 대한 우선권을 주장하면서 추가 연구성과를 포함하여 대학과 공동 특허출원을 하였습니다.

나. 후속 연구개발성과에 대한 회사의 단독 특허출원

한편, Xenon은 계속하여 license 대상 물질을 넘어서 그 범위를 확대하여 수천개의 화합물의 약효를 확인하는 추가 연구개발 프로젝트를 추진하였고, 이때 위스콘신 대학이 아닌 제3의 외부 전문 연구기관과 위탁연구용역을 진행하였습니다.

그 결과 효능이 뛰어난 PPA 군 화합물 20여개를 선택한 후, 다시 Wisconsin 대학의 교수에게 보내 효능을 재확인하는 위탁연구용역을 하였습니다. 그 최종 결과물을 갖고 Xenon사 단독으로 PPA군 화합물에 대한 후속 특허출원을 하였습니다.

다. Norvatis에 sublicense 성사 및 분쟁발생  

Xenon사는 후속으로 단독 출원했던 신약후보물질 PPA 관련 기술에 대해, 대형 제약회사 Novartis와 특허출원 후 3,4년이 지나 기술이전 및 license하는 계약을 체결하였습니다.

Wisconsin 대학은 Xenon의 후속 연구성과물에 대한 단독 특허출원 기술내용, PPA 기술내용도 Wisconsin 대학과 공동 출원한 선행 특허출원의 청구범위에 속하고, 대학과 체결한 exclusive license 적용대상이므로 계약상 sublicense에 해당하고, 따라서 약정한 sublicense fee를 대학에 지불해야 한다고 주장합니다.

반면, licensee Xenon사에서는 후속 연구성과 PPA 관련 기술내용은 대학과 무관하게 독자적인 연구개발의 성과물로서 단독소유라고 주장하였습니다.

또한, 설령 그 기술내용이 선출원 특허의 청구범위에 속한다고 하더라도 미국법상 공동 출원인 Xenon사는 타 공유자의 동의 없이 자유롭게 license 하는 등 실시할 권리가 있다고 주장합니다. 즉, 특허공유자는 타 공유자에게 수익 배분의 부담 없이 자유롭게 공유 특허발명을 양도 또는 라이선스를 할 수 있기 때문에 Norvatis로부터 받은 로열티 수입 중 일부를 위스콘신 대학에 배분해 주어야 할 의무는 없다고 주장합니다.

3. 미국법원 판결

Xenon사의 방어논리 중 핵심포인트는 미국특허법상 공동출원인, 특허공유자의 특허기술전체에 대한 자유로운 실시권에 기초한 것입니다. 미국법원은 특허법상 공유자의 권리의무관계는 당사자 사이의 계약으로 달리 정할 수 있고, 그 경우 당사자 사이 계약내용이 이 우선 적용된다는 기본원칙을 명확하게 밝혔습니다.

Xenon사는 Wisconsin 대학 산학협력단과 체결한 계약서에서 sublicense를 허용하고 그 경우 대학에 일정한 sublicense fee를 지불하기로 약정하였고, 그와 같은 계약은 공동출원인, 공유특허권자 사이에서도 유효한데, Xenon사에서 그와 같은 계약을 위반했다고 판결하였습니다.

결국 Xenon사는 exclusive license agreement에서 약정한 바에 따라 Norvatis로부터 받은upfront payment는 물론 향후 running royalty 중 일부를 sublicense fee로서 위스콘신 산단에 지불해야 한다는 판결입니다.

한편, 추가 PPA 화합물 20여개를 Wisconsin 대학교수에게 보내 효능을 재확인하기 위한 위탁연구용역에 관련 쟁점이 있습니다. Wisconsin 대학은 공동연구개발계약 범위 내에 속하고 대학교수는 공동발명자, 대학은 그 직무발명의 승계인으로서 권리 공유자라는 입장입니다. 미국법원은 회사 단독 소유권을 부정하고 산단에 공유자 권리를 인정하였습니다.

우리나라에서도 대학교수와 위탁연구용약을 자주 합니다. 그 결과물에 대해 대학 산학협력단의 지분권을 부인하고 의뢰자 회사의 단독 권리를 주장하는 경우가 많습니다. 해당 교수가 발명자로 인정된다면, 직무발명 등 관련 법에 따라 판단해 본다면, 설령 해당 대학교수가 용인하더라도 회사의 단독 소유 주장은 인정받기 어렵다 생각합니다.

KASAN_대학교수 발명특허의 기술이전, 라이선스 계약서에서 sublicense 조항, 후속 개량발명의 특허출원 및 등록, 공동발명, Sublicense 및 Royalty 등 Collaboration 분쟁 사례 미국 판결.pdf

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1.26 “Sublicense” shall mean any right granted, sublicense conferred or agreement entered into, between the Licensee and a Third Party permitting any use of the Licensed IP Rights, directly or indirectly, to make, or have made, develop, offer for sale, sell or otherwise commercialize any Licensed Product; provided, however, that a Sublicense shall exclude a bona fide agreement for the evaluation, testing, research, development on behalf of Kite or its Affiliates, or manufacturing on behalf of the Licensee or its Affiliates, or a distributor or reseller agreement, all pursuant to which no Sublicense Revenues are paid to the Licensee.

1.27 “Sublicense Revenues” shall mean, with respect to a Sublicense, the aggregate cash (or cash equivalent) or stock or securities (or their equivalent) consideration received by the Licensee or its Affiliates to the extent in consideration for such Sublicense, including consideration for an option to obtain such Sublicense. Such consideration shall include without limitation any upfront, license initiation or signing fees, license maintenance fees, milestone payments, unearned portion of any minimum annual royalty payment or equity. Sublicense Revenues shall exclude [*].

3. LICENSE GRANT 

3.1 Licensed IP Rights. Subject to Section 3.2 below, the Licensor Cabaret hereby grants to the Licensee Kite an exclusive (other than as set forth in Section 3.2 and 3.4 below) worldwide royalty bearing license (with the right to grant sublicenses through multiple tiers as set forth hereunder) under the Licensed IP Rights to research, have researched, develop , have developed, make, have made, use, offer for sale, sell, import, export, commercialize and otherwise exploit Licensed Products for use in the Field. Subject to the conditions set forth in Section 3.9 the foregoing license includes the right to grant sublicenses under the Licensed IP Rights, provided that, with respect to sublicenses granted under, Kite shall (a) grant such sublicenses only for consideration and at arm’s-length transactions, and (b) grant such sublicenses only pursuant to written agreements that contain such terms and conditions as may be required for Kite to comply with this Agreement.

3.2 License Restrictions. The license granted in Section 3.1 above is and shall remain at all times subject to the following restrictions (and Kite shall ensure that any of its Sublicensee’s shall be subject such restrictions): (i) the Licensor Dr. Eshhar, the Regents and the Government of the United States (the “Government”) reserve the right to use the Patents Rights and associated technology licensed under the Inter-Institutional Agreement last executed on June 22, 2012 (“UCSF IIA”), between Dr. Eshhar, BioSante and The Regents, and disclosed to Kite under Section 2.2.5 above, and the Inter-institutional Agreement dated 19.11.2013 (“NIH Agreement”), for educational and research purposes; (ii) nothing in this Agreement shall confer by estoppel, implication or otherwise, any license or rights under any patents of the Regents other than those patents rights detailed in the USCF IIA, regardless of whether such patents are dominant or subordinate to the Patents Rights defined in the UCSF IIA; (iii) Kite shall not use the name or trademark or logo of the University of California or any campus thereof; in each case to the extent required by the UCSF HA; (iv) the license is subject to the provisions of 37 C.F.R. Part 401 and the rights retained by the Government under the NIH Agreement; and (v) until the last to expire of U.S. Patent 8,211,422 issued July 3, 2012 from Patent Application 08/547,263 filed October 24, 1995 entitled “Chimeric Receptor Genes and Cells Transformed Therewith” and US Patent Application 13/281,560 filed October 26, 2011 entitled “Chimeric Receptor Genes and Cells Transformed Therewith” (hereinafter referred to as the “NIH Patent Estate”) any products embodying the Licensed Patent Rights, or produced through use of the Licensed Patent Rights, shall be manufactured substantially in the United States unless a waiver is granted by the NIH; provided that NIH may waive this requirement upon Kite’s written request which shall not be unreasonably denied; (vi) until the last to expire of the NIH Patent Estate, the Government shall have the irrevocable, royalty-free, paid-up right to practice and have practiced the NIH Patent Estate and Eshhar patents 5,906,936 and 7,741,465, throughout the world by or on behalf of the Government and on behalf of any foreign government or international organization pursuant to any existing or future treaty or agreement to which the Government is a signatory; (vii) until the last to expire of the NIH Patent Estate, the NIH reserves the right to require Cabaret, or its licensees, to grant sublicenses to the patent rights to responsible applicants, on terms that are reasonable under the circumstances when necessary to fulfill health or safety needs or when necessary to meet requirements for public use specified by Federal regulations; and (viii) until the last to expire of the NTH Patent Estate, in addition to the reserved right of Section 3.2(vi), the NIH reserves the right to require Cabaret to grant research licenses to the patent rights on reasonable terms and conditions, for the purpose of encouraging basic research, whether conducted at an academic or corporate facility.

3.4 No implied licenses are set forth herein. Except for those licenses expressly granted hereunder in the Field, Cabaret does not grant to Kite any other licenses, either within or without the Field. Kite specifically understands and agrees that except as explicitly set forth herein, Cabaret reserves all rights under the Licensed IP Rights to make, have made, use, sell, offer for sale, import, export, distribute and otherwise exploit products incorporating the Licensed IP Rights outside the Field. Without derogating from the generality in Section 3.2 above, Dr. Eshhar and Cabaret reserve the right to use all Licensed IP Rights licensed hereunder for educational and noncommercial research purposes in any and all fields.

3.5 In-Licenses. The Licensor Cabaret shall timely pay in full all amounts required to be paid by Cabaret, and timely perform in full all obligations required to be performed by Cabaret, under all In-Licenses. Cabaret promptly shall provide the Licensee Kite with copies of all notices and other deliveries received under the In-Licenses. Without the prior express written consent of Kite, Cabaret shall not (and shall take no action or make no omission to) modify or waive any provision of any In-License that could impair the value of the licenses to Kite herein, or to terminate or have terminated any In-License. If any In-License is terminated for any reason, Cabaret shall make all reasonable efforts to ensure that the Licensor thereunder shall grant a direct license under the Licensed IP Rights thereunder to Kite containing terms and conditions no less favorable to Kite than the terms (including the payment terms) of such In-License, and Kite shall have the right to offset all payments thereunder against any amounts owing to Cabaret hereunder.

3.6 Availability of the Licensed IP Rights. The Licensor Cabaret shall provide the Licensee Kite with a copy of all information available to Cabaret relating to the Licensed IP Rights or Licensed Products.

3.7 Technical Assistance. Cabaret and Dr. Eshhar shall provide such technical assistance to Kite as Kite reasonably requests regarding the Licensed IP Rights. Kite shall pay to Cabaret and Dr. Eshhar their documented reasonable out-of-pocket costs of providing such technical assistance.

3.8 Right of First Offer. In the event that Cabaret proposes to enter into an agreement with any Third Party for the grant to any Third Party of any license, immunity, right or interest of any type whatsoever in or under the Licensed Patent Rights outside the Field, Cabaret shall as soon as practicable notify Kite of such intention (the “Company Notice”), and the Licensee Kite shall have the right, to be exercised by notice to Cabaret to express its interest to negotiate with Cabaret regarding receipt of such license within a period of [*] after the date of the Company Notice (such period, the “Negotiation Period”). During the Negotiation Period, Kite will notify Cabaret within [*] of its interest to negotiate with Cabaret, and in such event Cabaret shall negotiate in good faith with Kite regarding receipt of such license. To the extent that Kite notified Cabaret of its interest to negotiate with Cabaret, as set forth above, prior to the expiration of the Negotiation Period, Cabaret shall not enter into any definitive binding agreement of any kind with a Third Party in relation to such license (other than relating to access to information).

3.9 Sublicenses. The Licensee Kite shall be entitled to grant Sublicenses, provided, however, that all Sublicenses shall be subject to the following conditions:

3.9.1 The Licensee Kite shall execute a written sublicense with each Sublicensee, which mirrors the restrictive terms hereof and shall provide Cabaret with a copy of each such written sublicense within [*] of execution (and all amendments and modifications thereto within [*] of execution). Kite shall report pursuant to the terms of this Agreement Net Sales of the Licensed Product by all Sublicensees and

3.9.2 The Licensee Kite shall use reasonable efforts to add to the Sublicense agreement a clause stating that, in case of a default of payment due by Kite of royalties owing on Net Sales by a Sublicensee, which is not cured within [*] after notice in accordance with this Agreement, then upon the written request of Cabaret, such Sublicensee will make future royalty payments and furnish the reports and documents that are required to be paid or furnished by Kite pursuant to this Agreement with respect to Net Sales by such Sublicensee directly to Cabaret.

3.9.3 The Licensee Kite shall, and by this Agreement herewith does, agree to cause its Sublicensees to assume and agree to perform all of the relevant covenants and obligations of Kite to Cabaret contained in this Agreement as fully and to the same extent as if its Sublicensees were Kite hereunder and guarantees Cabaret that its Sublicensees shall abide by each and every applicable provision of this Agreement.

4.5 Sublicense Fees. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, with respect to each Sublicense with respect to a Licensed Product, Kite shall pay to Cabaret sublicense fees equal to the applicable percentage set forth below of the Sublicense Revenue therefrom (based on the effective date of such Sublicense) (“Sublicense Fees”):

Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Sublicense Fees paid to Cabaret on account of Sublicense Revenues received by Kite from a Sublicensee in connection with the achievement of any technical, development, regulatory through commercial launch milestone event for a Licensed Product, Kite shall deduct from such Sublicense Fees the milestone payments made by Kite to Cabaret pursuant to Section 4.5 above with respect to the same Licensed Product.

KASAN_Licensor - 대학교수, 대학, 연구소 및 벤처회사 vs 제약회사 Licensee 사이의 바이오신약 후보물질 특허기술 라이선스 계약서에 포함된 sublicense 관련 계약조항 샘플.pdf

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“Affiliates” shall mean any company which directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control of a party to this agreement.

“Affiliate” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any other Person which directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. A Person shall be regarded as in control of another Person if it owns, or directly or indirectly controls; at least fifty percent (50%) of the voting stock or other ownership interest of the other Person, or if it directly or indirectly possesses the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of the other Person by any means whatsoever.

“Affiliate” means, with respect to any party, any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such party, during and for such time as such control exists. For these purposes, “control” shall refer to the ownership, directly or indirectly, of at least [*]% of the voting securities or other ownership interest of the relevant entity.

“Affiliate” means any Person who, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediates, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with another Person, but only for so long as such relationship exists. For purposes of this definition, the term “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”) as used with respect to a Person means the possession, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediates, of the power to direct, or cause the direction of, the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. Such power will be deemed to exist in the case of ownership, directly or through one or more Affiliates, of fifty percent (50%) or more of the shares of stock entitled to vote for the election of directors, in the case of a corporation, or fifty percent (50%) or more of the equity interest, in the case of any other type of legal entity, or status as a general partner in any partnership. The Parties acknowledge that, in the case of certain entities organized under the laws of certain countries, the maximum percentage ownership permitted by Law for a foreign investor may be less than fifty percent (50%), and in such case such lower percentage shall be substituted in the preceding sentence; provided, that such foreign investor has the power to direct the management and policies of such entity.

KASAN_국제계약서에 통상 들어가는 일반조항 Affiliate 정의조항 사례 – 기술이전, 라이선스 계약서 샘플.pdf

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특허침해분쟁을 화해 종결하면서 라이선스 계약을 체결하였지만, licensee의 계약 위반을 이유로 특허실시 license 계약을 종료하고, 다시 licensee 상대로 하는 특허침해소송을 제기할 수 있다는 미국법원 판결을 소개한 적이 있습니다.

우리나라의 유사한 사례로는 특허권자와 전용실시권 계약을 체결한 후 실시권자의 계약위반행위를 이유로 특허침해책임을 인정할 수 있는지 여부가 문제된 사안을 살펴봅니다.

1. 특허권에 대한 전용실시계약 체결, 특약사항 및 등록 상황

특허권자 회사로부터 “공기정화제” 특허발명의 등록 특허권에 대하여 전용실시권을 설정받으면서 특허권자 회사에 대해 “귀사의 승낙 없이 특허를 임의대로 사용하지 않겠다”는 사전승낙 조건을 추가하였습니다. 그 후 라이센시는 특허등록원부에 전용실시권 등록을 마쳤지만, 위 계약상 제한사항을 특허등록원부에 등록하지 않았습니다.

2. 실시권자 라이센시의 계약상 특약조항 위반

실시권자는 특허권자의 승낙 없이 임의대로 특허권을 실시하였고, 특허권자는 전용실시권 설정 계약위반, 전용실시권 설정계약범위 외의 실시행위로 특허권침해에 해당한다고 주장하면서 실시권자 라이센시를 형사고소하였습니다.

3. 특허법 규정

특허법 제100조(전용실시권) ① 특허권자는 그 특허권에 대하여 타인에게 전용실시권을 설정할 수 있다. ② 전용실시권을 설정 받은 전용실시권자는 그 설정행위로 정한 범위에서 그 특허발명을 업으로서 실시할 권리를 독점한다.

특허법 제101조(특허권 및 전용실시권의 등록의 효력) ① 다음 각 호의 어느 하나에 해당하는 사항은 등록하여야만 효력이 발생한다.

1. 특허권의 이전(상속이나 그 밖의 일반승계에 의한 경우는 제외한다), 포기에 의한 소멸 또는 처분의 제한

2. 전용실시권의 설정·이전(상속이나 그 밖의 일반승계에 의한 경우는 제외한다)·변경·소멸(혼동에 의한 경우는 제외한다) 또는 처분의 제한

3. 특허권 또는 전용실시권을 목적으로 하는 질권의 설정·이전(상속이나 그 밖의 일반승계에 의한 경우는 제외한다)·변경·소멸(혼동에 의한 경우는 제외한다) 또는 처분의 제한

4. 법원판단 – 특허침해 불성립

법원은 전용실시권 설정계약상의 제한사항을 등록하지 않은 경우, 그 제한을 위반하여 특허발명을 실시한 전용실시권자에게 특허법 위반죄가 성립하지 않는다고 판결하였습니다. 법원은 실시권자의 전용실시권 설정계약을 위반한 계약상 민사책임은 인정될 수 있지만, 등록되지 않는 특약사항으로 전용실시권자의 실시권한을 제한할 수 없다는 입장에서 전용실시권자의 특허실시행위는 특허권 침해에 해당하지 않는다고 명확하게 판결하였습니다.

5. 대법원 2013. 1. 24. 선고 2011도4645 판결 요지

특허법 제101조 제1항은 “다음 각 호에 해당하는 사항은 이를 등록하지 아니하면 그 효력이 발생하지 아니한다.”고 하면서, 제2호에 “전용실시권의 설정·이전(상속 기타 일반승계에 의한 경우를 제외한다)·변경·소멸(혼동에 의한 경우를 제외한다) 또는 처분의 제한”을 규정하고 있다.

따라서 설정계약으로 전용실시권의 범위에 관하여 특별한 제한을 두고도 이를 등록하지 않으면 그 효력이 발생하지 않는 것이므로, 전용실시권자가 등록되어 있지 않은 제한을 넘어 특허발명을 실시하더라도, 특허권자에 대하여 채무불이행 책임을 지게 됨은 별론으로 하고 특허권 침해가 성립하는 것은 아니다.

6. 등록주의 여부에 따른 구별

대법원 판결은 전용실시권이 그 설정등록으로 발생, 소멸, 변경된다는 등록주의에 따른 것입니다. 그 기초인 전용실시권 설정계약 위반을 이유로 그 계약이 해지되었는지 여부와는 명확하게 구별하였습니다.

그런데, 미국 특허법과 우리나라 특허법은 전용실시권의 발생 및 소멸에 대해 다른 입장을 취하고 있습니다. 따라서, 실시권자 라이선시의 실시권 설정 계약위반 사안에 대해 특허침해 책임여부에 관해서도 서로 다른 결론에 도달할 수 있습니다. 예를 들어, 미국사안과 같이 전용실시권자의 라이선스 계약위반행위가 있더라도 유효한 전용실시권 등록이 존속하고 있는 한 licensee의 계약위반에 따른 책임은 별론으로 하더라도 적어도 특허침해는 성립하지 않습니다. 반면, 미국법원은 계약위반책임과 별개로 특허침해도 가능하다는 취지입니다.

KASAN_특허권 전용실시권 허여계약에 특허발명실시 전 특허권자의 승낙 요건 특약 존재 – 전용실시권 등록 후 실시권자의 특약위반 시 계약위반책임과 별개로 특허권침해책임 불인정 - 독립.pdf

1. License 대상특허 범위 쟁점: 미국 Endo Pharm Opana® ER 특허분쟁 판결

특허 license에서 자주 쟁점이 되는 사항이고 실제 발생할 수 있는 사안입니다. 아래 그림에서 표시한 각 특허 사이의 관계와 License Agreement 조항의 문언표현을 살펴보시기 바랍니다.

(1) license 대상특허 범위 및 쟁점

License 계약서에 라이선스 대상특허 '250 및 그 후속특허 "including any continuation, continuation-in-part and divisional patent applications that claim priority to Opana® ER Patents"로 표현되어 있습니다. 여기서 '250 특허가 Opana® ER Patents에 해당합니다.

계약체결 후 등록된 위 '216 특허와 '122 특허가 위와 같은 계약문언의 범위에 해당하는지 여부가 쟁점입니다. 그림에서 보듯 노란색 '250 특허와 녹색의 쟁점 특허 2건은 직접 연결된 관계가 아닙니다.

다만, 청색으로 표시한 '357 출원이 중간에 개입되어 있습니다. 그것을 매개로 녹색표시특허들도 노란색 특허와 동일하게 license 대상특허로 해석할 수 있는지 문제됩니다.

(2) 미국법원 판결

CAFC 판결은 위와 같은 상황에서 '216 특허와 '122 특허는 license 대상 특허범위에 포함되지 않는다고 판결하였습니다. 기타 묵시적 license도 인정하지 않았습니다. 즉, licensor Endo는 licensee Actavis, Roxane의 generic 제품 발매에 대해 기존 등록특허에 관하여 체결한 license의 존재에도 불구하고 다시 추가 등록한 '216 특허와 '122 특허에 기초한 특허권을 행사할 수 있다고 보았습니다.

Generic 제품발매 회사로서는 불의타에 해당하는 황당한 상황을 맞았습니다. CAFC 3인 합의재판부 중 1명의 소수의견 Dissent Opinion에서는 license 대상을 특허로 표현한 것과 제품으로 표현한 것을 엄격하게 구별해야 하고, 적어도 제품을 기준으로 라이선스 계약을 체결한 경우 위 특허도 라이선스 대상특허에 해당한다는 의견 설시가 흥미롭습니다. 공감할 내용이 많은데도 불구하고 아쉽게도 소수의견에 그쳤습니다. 특허 라이선스 실무공부 삼아 읽어 보시기 바랍니다.

(3) No Implied License 조항

CAFC 판결에서는 계약서의 다음과 같이 묵시적 라이선스를 허용하지 않는다는 계약조항을 중요한 판단근거로 삼았습니다. 라이선스 계약 실무상 매우 중요한 포인트입니다.

“Endo does not grant to Actavis [or Roxane] . . . any license, right or immunity, whether by implication, estoppel or otherwise, other than as expressly granted herein.”

참고자료로 다른 계약서에서 표준형식의 조항을 인용합니다. "No Other Rights. No rights, other than those expressly set forth in this Agreement are granted to either Party hereunder, and no additional rights will be deemed granted to either Party by implication, estoppel, or otherwise. All rights not expressly granted by either Party to the other hereunder are reserved."

Licensee의 묵시적 라이선스 주장은 부제소조항(not to sue)에도 근거를 두고 있습니다. licensee에 대한 소송을 제기하지 않는다는 계약조항은 곧 후속 등록 특허권에 대한 license 합의로도 해석할 수 있다는 주장입니다.

그라나, CAFC 판결은 위와 같이 묵시적 허락을 배제하는 명시적 계약조항을 우선해야 한다고 명확하게 밝혔습니다. 묵시적 라이선스 이론이 적용될 수 있고, 따라서 상충되는 해석이 가능한 상황에서도, 처분문서에 해당하는 계약서에 명시적으로 기재된 묵시적 라이선스를 배제한다는 문언이 훨씬 더 강력한 효력을 발휘한다는 점을 명확하게 판시하였습니다.

위 판결은 Licensee 입장에서 조금 억울한 면이 있을 것입니다. 실무적 대응방안으로는 특허만을 라이선스 대상범위의 기준으로 설정하는 것보다 여기에 더하여 제품기술을 라이선스 범위설정의 기준으로 함께 설정한다면 안정할 것입니다.

기술이전이나 license 당시에는 등록되지 않았고 독립된 특허출원도 아니었으나 그 후 분할출원, 연속출원 등을 통해 등록되는 특허문제는 매우 중요합니다. 관련 쟁점에 관한 좋은 참고가 될 분쟁사례와 판결입니다. CAFC 판결문을 소수의견까지 모두 꼼꼼하게 살펴보시길 권합니다.

2. 영문계약조항 사례 샘플

(1) Example – Definition, 계약대상 특허정의 조항

“Patent Rights” means, with respect to each country in the Territory (except as otherwise stated to be with respect to any country in or outside the Territory), (a) patent applications (including provisional applications) pending in such country, (b) any patents issuing in such country from such patent applications (including certificates of invention), (c) all patents and patent applications issued or pending, as applicable, in such country based on, corresponding to or claiming the priority date(s) of any of the foregoing, (d) rights in such country derived from any of (a), (b) or (c), including any substitutions, extensions (including supplemental protection certificates), registrations, confirmations, reissues, divisionals, continuations, continuations in part, reexaminations, renewals, revalidations, revivals, patents of addition, and (e) all patents and patent applications issued or pending, as applicable, in such country claiming overlapping priority therefrom.

(2) Example – 라이선스 계약조항 샘플

9. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MATTERS.

9.1 Existing Intellectual Property.

(a) Other than as provided in this Agreement, neither Party grants any right, title, or interest in any Patent Right, information, or other intellectual property right Controlled by such Party to the other Party.

(b) Except as otherwise provided herein, Licensor shall be responsible for the preparation, filing, prosecution (including, without limitation, any interferences, inter partes proceedings, reissue proceedings, cancellations, oppositions, and reexaminations), and maintenance of any and all Licensed Serenity Patent Rights. Licensor shall consult with Licensee, and consider Licensee’s comments, in good faith with respect to the preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of any Licensed CPEX Patent Rights or Licensed Reprise Patent Rights to the extent that Licensor has the right, under any agreement with any applicable licensor, to file, prosecute, and maintain such Licensed Patent Rights.

(c) Licensee agrees and acknowledges that Licensor intends to continue to use, in Licensor’s discretion, patent counsel currently retained by Licensor to prosecute and maintain the Licensed Serenity Patent Rights. Licensee shall execute, acknowledge and deliver any instruments, and to do all such other acts, as may be necessary or appropriate in order to enable such patent counsel to continue to prosecute and maintain such Licensed Serenity Patent Rights. The Parties shall reasonably consult with each other, and shall consider any comments from each other in good faith, with respect to the preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of such Licensed Serenity Patent Rights and patent strategy for the Licensed Serenity Patent Rights. Licensee shall reimburse Licensor for all costs and expenses incurred by Licensor after the Effective Date in the preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of any Licensed Serenity Patent Rights in the Territory, up to an amount not to exceed [*] Dollars ($[*]), which is the estimated cost set forth on Schedule 9.1(c). Licensor shall provide to Licensee copies of any papers relating to the filing, prosecution or maintenance of the Licensed Serenity Patent Rights promptly upon their being filed or received. Licensee shall not knowingly take any action during prosecution and maintenance of the Licensed Serenity Patent Rights.

(d) Licensor shall not knowingly permit any of the Licensed Serenity Patent Rights to be abandoned in any country in the Territory without Licensor first giving Licensee an opportunity to assume full responsibility for the continued prosecution and maintenance thereof. In the event that Licensee decides not to continue the prosecution or maintenance of a Licensed Serenity Patent Rights in any country in the Territory, Licensor will provide Licensee with notice of this decision at least thirty (30) days prior to any pending lapse or abandonment thereof. In the event that Licensee elects to assume responsibility for such prosecution and maintenance within thirty (30) days of Licensor’s notice, Section 9.1(c) shall thereafter apply to such Licensed Serenity Patent Rights except that the role of Licensee and Licensor shall be reversed thereunder (except further that Licensee will continue to be responsible for all costs and expenses thereafter incurred in the preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of any Licensed Serenity Patent Rights). Any such Serenity Patent Right that is subject to such election by Licensee shall otherwise continue to be subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Agreement in the same way as the other Licensed Serenity Patent Rights.

9.2 Inventions by Licensee.

Disclosure. Licensee shall promptly disclose to Licensor the invention of any Licensee Inventions.

Ownership. As between the Parties, all Licensee Inventions will be owned and Controlled by Licensee.

Patent Filings.

(i) Licensee, at its expense, will have sole discretion and responsibility to prepare, file, prosecute, and maintain any patent applications and patents claiming Licensee Inventions. The Parties’ respective patent counsel shall meet no fewer than once per Calendar Year to discuss strategies for the preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of any such patent applications and patents claiming Licensee Inventions. Licensee shall consider in good faith any comments provided by Licensor with respect to the foregoing. In the event of any dispute between Parties with respect to such strategies, either Party may notify the Alliance Managers for purposes of resolving such dispute; provided, however, that Licensee shall have the final decision-making authority with respect to any such dispute.

(ii) Licensee shall not knowingly permit any Patent Rights with claims to any Licensee Inventions to be abandoned in any country without Licensee first giving Licensor an opportunity to assume full responsibility for the continued prosecution and maintenance thereof. In the event that Licensee decides not to continue the prosecution or maintenance of any Patent Right claiming a Licensee Invention in any country, Licensee will provide Licensor with notice of this decision at least thirty (30) days prior to any pending lapse or abandonment thereof. In the event that Licensor elects to assume responsibility for such prosecution and maintenance within thirty (30) days of Licensor’s notice, Section 9.1(c) shall thereafter apply to such Patent Right claiming such Licensee Invention except that the role of Licensee and Licensor shall be reversed thereunder.

9.3 Infringement, Violation, or Misappropriation by Third Parties.

(a) Notice. Each Party shall promptly notify the other Party in writing of any alleged or threatened infringement, violation, or misappropriation by any Third Party of the Licensed Rights or the Sublicensed Rights of which it becomes aware, and following such notification, the Parties shall confer as to any response thereto. The notice shall set forth the facts of such infringement, violation, or misappropriation in reasonable detail.

(b) Response to Infringement, Violation, or Misappropriation by Third Parties.

(i) If a Third Party is infringing, violating, or misappropriating, or either Party reasonably believes a Third Party may be infringing, violating, or misappropriating any Enforceable IP Right in any country in the Territory, Licensee shall have the first right, but not the obligation, to institute, prosecute, and control any action or proceeding with respect to such infringement, violation, or misappropriation by counsel of its own selection, at its expense. Licensor shall have the right to participate in such action and be represented, if it so desires, by counsel of its own selection and at its own expense. To the extent required by Applicable Laws, Licensor agrees to be joined as a party plaintiff (with Licensor having the right to be represented, if it so desires, by counsel of its own selection and at its own expense) if necessary for Licensee to bring and prosecute such action or proceeding, and to give Licensee reasonable assistance and authority to bring and prosecute such action or proceeding. If Licensee fails to bring an action or proceeding within ninety (90) days after receiving or giving written notice pursuant to Section 9.3(a), then Licensor shall have the right, but not the obligation, to bring and control any such action by counsel of its own selection, at its expense (with Licensee having the right to participate in such action and be represented, if it so desires, by counsel of its own selection and at its own expense). To the extent required by Applicable Laws, Licensee agrees to be joined as a party plaintiff (with Licensee having the right to be represented, if it so desires, by counsel of its own selection and expense therein) if necessary for Licensor to bring and prosecute such action or proceeding, and to give Licensor reasonable assistance and authority to bring and prosecute such action or proceeding. No settlement of any such action or consent judgment or other voluntary final disposition which restricts the scope, or adversely affects the enforceability, of an Enforceable IP Right may be entered into by either Party without the prior written consent of the other Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned.

(ii) Each Party shall share in any recoveries obtained in connection with any action or proceeding described in Section 9.3(b)(i) as follows:

(A) each Party’s costs and expenses incurred in connection with bringing and prosecuting any such action or proceeding, including without limitation attorneys’ fees, first shall be reimbursed from such recoveries, and if such recovery is insufficient to cover all such costs and expenses of both Parties, it shall be shared in proportion to the total of such costs and expenses incurred by each Party, and

(B) if Licensee controlled such action or proceeding Licensee shall receive one hundred percent (100%) of such remaining recoveries, provided that such recoveries shall be deemed Net Sales for purposes of Section 8.3(a)(i); and if Licensor controlled such action or proceeding, each Party shall receive fifty percent (50%) of such remaining recoveries, provided that Licensee’s portion shall not be deemed as Net Sales for purposes of Section 8.3(a)(i) in such case.

(c) Withdrawal. If either Party brings an action or proceeding under Section 9.3(b)(i) and subsequently ceases to pursue or withdraws from such action or proceeding, it shall promptly notify the other Party and the other Party may substitute itself for the withdrawing Party under the terms of Section 9.3(b)(i).

(d) Oppositions by Parties. If either Party desires to bring an opposition, action for declaratory judgment, nullity action, interference, reexamination, inter partes proceeding, or other attack upon the validity, title, or enforceability of any intellectual property right Controlled by a Third Party that Covers the Product in the Field in any country in the Territory, such Party shall so notify the other Party and the Parties shall promptly confer to determine whether to bring such action or the manner in which to settle such action. Each Party shall be entitled to separate representation in any such action by counsel of its own choice and at its own expense, and shall cooperate fully with the other Party. The costs of any such action shall be borne by the Party bringing the action, and such Party shall retain any recoveries obtained in connection therewith.

9.4 Infringement of Third Party Rights.

(a) Notice. If the Exploitation of the Product pursuant to this Agreement results in a claim, action, suit, or proceeding that such activity infringes or misappropriates the intellectual property rights of a Third Party (“Third Party Infringement Claim”), the Party first receiving notice thereof shall promptly notify in writing the other Party thereof. The notice shall set forth the facts of the Third Party Infringement Claim in reasonable detail.

(b) Litigation.

(i) Licensee shall have the sole right, but not the obligation, to defend, at its expense, against any Third Party Infringement Claim. Licensee shall have full control over the defense and settlement of such Third Party Infringement Claim, provided that Licensee shall not settle any Third Party Infringement Claim that is subject to indemnification pursuant to Section 11.1 without the prior written consent of Licensor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed, or conditioned. Licensor shall cooperate with Licensee, at Licensee’s expense and reasonable request, in such defense and shall have the right to be represented by counsel of its own choice, at Licensor’s expense. Licensee will pay any losses incurred in defense or settlement of, or imposed pursuant to settlement of or judgment on, such Third Party Infringement Claim.

(ii) If Licensee decides not to commence a defense against any Third Party Infringement Claim pursuant to Section 9.4(b)(i), then Licensee will promptly notify Licensor of such decision in a timely manner so as to allow Licensor, who shall have the right, but not the obligation, to commence such a defense by counsel of its own selection, at its expense (with Licensee having the right to participate in such defense and be represented, if it so desires, by counsel of its own selection and at its own expense). Licensor shall thereupon have full control over the defense and settlement of such Third Party Infringement Claim, provided that Licensor shall not settle any Third Party Infringement Claim without the prior written consent of Licensee, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed, or conditioned. Licensee shall cooperate with Licensor, at Licensor’s expense and reasonable request, in such defense and shall have the right to be represented by counsel of its own choice, at Licensee’s expense. Licensor will pay any losses incurred in defense or settlement of, or imposed pursuant to settlement of or judgment on, such Third Party Infringement Claim, subject to Section 11.1.

(iii) Notwithstanding any provisions set forth herein to the contrary, Licensor shall be responsible for continuing to manage, at Licensor’s expense, that certain litigation with Ferring Pharmaceuticals that is described in Schedule 10.2. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any settlement of any such action or consent judgment or other voluntary final disposition with respect to the litigation with Ferring Pharmaceuticals described in Schedule 10.2, which restricts the scope, or adversely affects the enforceability, of an Enforceable IP Right may not be entered into by Licensor without the prior written consent of the Licensee, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned.

(c) Oppositions by Third Parties. If any patent, trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property right within the Licensed Rights or the Sublicensed Rights becomes after the Effective Date the subject of any proceeding commenced by a Third Party in connection with an opposition, reexamination request, action for declaratory judgment, nullity action, interference, inter partes proceeding, or other attack upon the validity, title, or enforceability thereof, then Licensee shall control such defense at its sole cost. Licensee shall permit Licensor to participate in the proceeding to the extent permissible under Applicable Laws, and to be represented by its own counsel in such proceeding, at Licensor’s expense. If Licensee elects not to defend against such action with respect to any such intellectual property right with the Licensed Rights or the Sublicensed Rights within ninety (90) days after first receiving notice or otherwise becoming aware of such action or proceeding, then Licensor shall have the right to assume defense of such Third Party action at its own expense. Any awards or amounts received in bringing any such action shall be first allocated to reimburse the Parties’ expenses in such action, and any remaining amounts shall be retained by the Party defending against such proceeding.

KASAN_기술이전, 라이선스 계약서에서 License 대상 IP 및 특허 정의조항, 적용범위, 계약체결 후 발명 출원 및 특허 쟁점, 제3자의 이의신청 또는 침해소송대응 관련 계약서 샘플.pdf

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