UL's Patent Policy


1.1 UL/ANSI Standards Patent Policy - The following is UL's patent policy for ANSI/UL Standards.

1.1.1 Inclusion of Patents in UL/ANSI Standards - There is no objection in principle to drafting a proposed UL/ANSI Standard in terms that include the use of a patented item, if it is considered that technical reasons justify this approach.

If UL and ANSI receives a notice that a proposed American National Standard may require the use of a patented invention, the procedures in 1.1.2 - 1.1.4 shall be followed.

1.1.2 Statement from patent holder - Prior to approval of such a proposed UL/ANSI Standard, UL and ANSI shall receive from the identified party or patent holder written assurance in the form of:

  1. a general disclaimer to the effect that such party does not hold and does not currently intend holding any invention the use of which would be required for compliance with the proposed American National Standard or
  2. a statement that a license will be made available without compensation to the applicants desiring to utilize the license for the purpose of implementing the standard or a license will be made available to applicants under reasonable terms and conditions that are demonstrably free of any unfair discrimination.

1.1.3 Record of statement - A record of the patent holder's statement shall be placed and retained in the files of UL and ANSI.

1.1.4 Notice - When UL and ANSI receive from a patent holder the assurance set forth in 1.1.2 (b), the standard shall include a note as follows:

NOTE - The user's attention is called to the possibility that compliance with this standard may require use of an invention covered by patent rights.
By publication of this standard, no position is taken with respect to the validity of this claim or of any patent rights in connection therewith. The patent holder has, however, filed a statement of willingness to grant a license under these rights on reasonable and nondiscriminatory terms and conditions to applicants desiring to obtain such a license. Details may be obtained from UL.

1.1.5 Responsibility for identifying patents - UL and ANSI shall not be responsible for identifying all patents for which a license may be required by a UL/ANSI Standard or for conducting inquiries into the legal validity or scope of those patents that are brought to its attention.

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Page was last updated on December 13, 2002.

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