Once you've discussed the company's feasibility and have decided to move forward, your next step is to prepare a business plan describing the company's business model. To gain additional time to evaluate the commercial potential of the technology and develop a full business plan, companies will often enter into a standstill agreement with WARF, although this step is not required. During the standstill period, which normally lasts six months, WARF agrees not to license the technology in question to a third party.
Please note that the standstill period is not meant to provide time for your company to develop a product. Instead, the standstill gives you time to further evaluate the market potential for your product.
At the end of the standstill period, your company must provide a business plan and a completed start-up company application to your licensing manager if you are interested in negotiating agreements with WARF. If an acceptable business plan is not received, WARF reserves the right to enter into license negotiations with a third party.
View WARF's standstill agreement (pdf format)
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