The US-China Clean Energy Research Center (CERC) offers valuable lessons for managing intellectual property in collaborative research between the two countries. Despite broader tensions, CERC developed innovative IP frameworks that protected both sides' interests.
The CERC Model
Established in 2009, CERC brought together researchers from both countries to work on clean energy technologies including advanced coal, buildings efficiency, and clean vehicles. The program developed novel IP management approaches.
Key IP Innovations
- Clear delineation of background vs. foreground IP
- Pre-negotiated licensing terms for joint innovations
- Transparent disclosure requirements
- Balanced access to research results
Lessons for Future Collaboration
The CERC experience shows that productive US-China research collaboration is possible even in sensitive technology areas when clear IP frameworks are established upfront.