Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the domestic medical device industry has experienced rapid quantitative growth. However, beneath this expansion lies a structural imbalance dominated by small and micro-sized enterprises. Although technology transfer t...
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the domestic medical device industry has experienced rapid quantitative growth. However, beneath this expansion lies a structural imbalance dominated by small and micro-sized enterprises. Although technology transfer to external firms is a critical commercialization strategy for these SMEs, they frequently accept unfavorable terms or face post-contract disputes due to a lack of legal expertise and information asymmetry. The medical device industry, in particular, operates under stringent regulatory oversight throughout the entire product lifecycle, necessitating an approach distinct from general technology transfer. Nevertheless, existing standard contracts often presuppose transfers from public research institutions or contain generic provisions, failing to reflect the complex interests of private transactions and the sector's regulatory environment.
Accordingly, this study aims to establish standard contracts and practical guidelines tailored to specific contract types, fostering fair technology transfer reflective of the domestic medical device industry. To this end, a literature review and content analysis were conducted utilizing industry academia contracts, prior – research, relevant laws, and government reports. The analysis focused on patent rights and examined three key contract types: technology assignment agreements, exclusive license agreements, and non-exclusive license agreements.
The analysis revealed distinct structural differences across contract types regarding the legal nature of rights, registration requirements, scope of exclusivity, and the patent holder’s ability to practice the invention. As these differences significantly impact business objectives, they must be clearly distinguished during contract formation. Consequently, this study developed a decision-making flowchart to assist SMEs in selecting a rational contract type aligned with their technological characteristics and business goals. This flowchart guides practitioners through factors such as the transfer purpose, necessity of exclusivity, and patent ownership, enabling an intuitive selection of appropriate structures.
Furthermore, this study proposes industry-specific standard contract models for each contract type. The contractual provisions are systematized into industry-specific, general, and type-specific categories, accompanied by clause-by-clause explanatory guidelines. This approach seeks to overcome the limitations of existing formalistic contracts and offer concrete criteria for practical negotiation.
This study establishes a practical foundation enabling SMEs to review and conclude technology transfer agreements rationally despite limited resources. By presenting standard models and commentaries that incorporate the sector's regulatory nuances, this study contributes to facilitating technology transfers that extend beyond mere rights assignment to actual commercialization. Ultimately, these findings are expected to serve as a reference for future corporate technology transfers, promoting a fair technology transaction order and enhancing the competitiveness of the domestic medical device industry