Blackwell Reference Online

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Situations exist in which different companies are working on similar research and development projects at the same time. One company makes advances in one area and the other in a second area. By joining effort and sharing discoveries and technology, both companies could move forward more quickly than either could alone. This synergistic approach (resulting in mutual benefit) could be accomplished by a cross‐licensing arrangement. Under cross‐licensing each company gives the other permission to use patented or copyrighted technology, processes, or inventions. Cross‐licensing achieves two things: (1) gains for both companies are increased through the dual use of intellectual property rights; (2) both companies still protect their property rights because the only party able to use them is the company designated in the cross‐licensing agreement. ( 1994 ). International Management , 1st edn. New York : HarperCollins . ( 1994 ). The New Role of Intellectual Property in Commercial Transactions . New York : John Wiley and Sons . ... log in or subscribe to read full text