Sharing technology safely
Technology transfer is one of the most valuable and most vulnerable forms of collaboration. Once know-how has been disclosed it cannot be taken back, so protection must be in place before the first technical meeting, not after the first problem.
We advise technology owners, manufacturers, universities and research-led companies on structuring transfers into and out of Iran so that each party knows what it receives, what it may do with it and what it must return.
Agreements we prepare
- Confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements
- Know-how and patent licence agreements
- Joint research and development agreements
- Technical assistance and training agreements
- Manufacturing and toll-manufacturing agreements
Into and out of Iran
Technology transfer runs in both directions. International companies license processes and equipment know-how to Iranian manufacturers, while Iranian research institutions and technology companies increasingly license their own developments to partners at home and abroad. Each direction raises its own questions about protection, payment and control.
Some transfers may need to be recorded or may raise regulatory questions depending on the technology, the parties and how payment is structured. We review these points at the outset, so that the agreement is effective and the parties can perform it as intended.
Trade secrets and know-how
Much of the value in a technology transfer lies in unpatented know-how: processes, formulas, settings and experience. Protecting it depends on contracts, practical confidentiality measures and careful control over who receives what. We help design both the legal terms and the internal procedures that support them.
Improvements and ownership
Disputes frequently arise over improvements made after a transfer. We agree in advance who owns new developments, whether they must be shared back, and how jointly created results can be used and protected.
Structuring the transfer in stages
Rather than disclosing everything at once, many transfers are better structured in stages: a confidentiality agreement and limited disclosure for evaluation, followed by a licence or development agreement once the commercial terms are settled, with further know-how released as milestones are met. This keeps leverage with the technology owner and gives the recipient a clear path to full use.
Common questions
Should we sign a confidentiality agreement before technical discussions?
Yes. A well-drafted agreement defining confidential information, permitted use and duration should be in place before any meaningful disclosure.
Can know-how be protected without a patent?
Yes, through confidentiality obligations and practical controls. It is often the more suitable route for processes that are hard to reverse-engineer.
Who owns improvements made by the recipient of the technology?
Whoever the agreement says. Without a clear clause the position can be uncertain, which is why we address improvements explicitly.