Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what framework governs intellectual property sharing in joint international technology development projects.

The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) has an established policy for addressing Intellectual Property (IP), and all MOD projects are expected to set out an IP strategy to ensure that IP is adequately protected, whilst securing maximum impact for our armed forces and value for money for the taxpayer.

With regards to joint international technology development projects, several frameworks are used. The IP conditions are agreed within a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), or a subordinate arrangement thereto with another nation, governing the project.

The most common framework used for joint international technology development projects is laid out in NATO Allied Acquisition Practices Publication (AACP) – specifically AACP-1. These conditions have been pre-agreed amongst NATO members. Where more bespoke conditions are required, these are negotiated between programme participants by the MOD’s IP advisors.

Should an international technology development project be between nations which are not NATO members, the MOD will suggest AACP-1 conditions in the first instance.

Should contracts be placed in furtherance to the MoU or subordinate arrangement, the IP terms contained within these will follow the MOD’s established IP policies.