FAR and DFARS › DFARS Part 252: Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses › Subpart 252.2
DFARS 252.227-7012 Patent License and Release Contract.
The codified text (eCFR, as of 2026-10-02). Under the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul ↗, agencies follow class deviations with new text for many parts while the formal rules go through the Federal Register: check the solicitation and your contract's clauses, which rule.
In plain English
This DFARS clause is a contract template used when the Government procures a patent license, release of past infringement, or assignment from a contractor. It sets out the articles that must be included, such as the license grant, license term, release, non-estoppel, payment, and various standard FAR clauses. It matters to contractors because it defines the structure and required terms of these patent-related agreements with the Government.
Applies to: Contractors entering patent license, release, or assignment contracts with the Government
What it requires
- Insert the appropriate clause for the license grant depending on whether it is paid up or on a running royalty basis
- Insert the appropriate license term clause
- Insert the release of past infringement clause
- Insert the non-estoppel clause
Key terms: patent license · release of past infringement · non-estoppel · paid up license · running royalty basis
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
As prescribed at 227.7012, insert the following clause in patent releases, license agreements, and assignments:
(Contract No.)
Patent License and Release Contract (DEC 2022)
This CONTRACT is effective as of the ____ day of [month, year], between the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (hereinafter called the Government), and __________ (hereinafter called the Contractor), (a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of __________), (a partnership consisting of __________), (an individual trading as __________), of the City of __________, in the State of __________.
Whereas, the Contractor warrants that it has the right to grant the within license and release, and the Government desires to procure the same, and
Whereas, this contract is authorized by law, including 10 U.S.C. 3793.
Now Therefore, in consideration of the grant, release and agreements hereinafter recited, the parties have agreed as follows:
Article 1. License Grant.*
(Insert the clause at 252.227-7004 for a paid up license, or the clause at 252.227-7006 for a license on a running royalty basis.)
Article 2. License Term.*
(Insert the appropriate alternative clause at 252.227-7005 for a paid up license, or the clause at 252.227-7007 for a license on a running royalty basis.)
Article 3. Release of Past Infringement.
(Insert the clause at 252.227-7001.)
Article 4. Non-Estoppel.
(Insert the clause at 252.227-7000.)
Article 5. Payment.
The Contractor shall be paid the sum of ______ Dollars ($______) in full compensation for the rights herein granted and agreed to be granted. (For a license on a running royalty basis, insert the clause at 252.227-7006 in accordance with the instructions therein, and also the clause as specified at 252.227-7002 and 252.227-7009 and 252.227-7010.)
Article 6. Covenant Against Contingent Fees.
(Insert the clause at FAR 52.203-5.)
Article 7. Assignment of Claims.
(Insert the clause at FAR 52.232-23.)
Article 8. Gratuities.
(Insert the clause at FAR 52.203-3.)
Article 9. Disputes.
(Insert the clause at FAR 52.233-1.)
Article 10. Successors and Assignees.
This Agreement shall be binding upon the Contractor, its successors** and assignees, but nothing contained in this Article shall authorize an assignment of any claim against the Government otherwise than as permitted by law.
In Witness Whereof, the parties hereto have executed this contract.
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(Signature and Title of
*If only a release is procured, delete this article; if an assignment is procured, use the clause at 252.227-7011.
**When the Contractor is an individual, change “successors” to “heirs”; if a partnership, modify appropriately.
(End of clause)
Sections it refers to
- 227.7012 Contract format.
- 252.227-7004 License grant.
- 252.227-7006 License grant—running royalty.
- 252.227-7005 License term.
- 252.227-7007 License term—running royalty.
- 252.227-7001 Release of past infringement.
- 252.227-7000 Non-estoppel.
- 252.227-7002 Readjustment of payments.
- 252.227-7009 Reporting and payment of royalties.
- 252.227-7010 License to other Government agencies.
- 52.203-5 Covenant Against Contingent Fees.
- 52.232-23 Assignment of Claims.
- 52.203-3 Gratuities.
- 52.233-1 Disputes.
- 252.227-7011 Assignments.
Sections that refer to it
- 227.7012 Contract format.
← 252.227-7011 Assignments. · 252.227-7013 Rights in Technical Data—Other Than Commercial Products and Commercial Services. →
Rule changes for DFARS Part 252
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Modifications to Printed Circuit Board Acquisition Restrictions (DFARS Case 2022-D011) ↗ · proposed 2026-07-02 · comments due 2026-08-31
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Certification Requirement for Military Recruitment Advertising (DFARS Case 2024-D022) ↗ · proposed 2026-06-25 · comments due 2026-08-24
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Small Purchase Exception for the Acquisition of U.S. Flags (DFARS Case 2024-D013) ↗ · proposed 2026-06-25 · comments due 2026-08-24
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Mitigating Risks Related to Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (DFARS Case 2021-D011) ↗ · proposed 2026-05-07 · comments due 2026-07-06
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Assessing Contractor Implementation of Cybersecurity Requirements (DFARS Case 2019-D041) ↗ · final rule 2025-09-10 · effective 2025-11-10
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Limitation on Certain Institutes of Higher Education (DFARS Case 2024-D023); Correction ↗ · final rule 2025-08-28 · effective 2025-08-28
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Disclosure of DoD Funding in Technical Publications (DFARS Case 2024-D003) ↗ · proposed 2025-08-25 · comments due 2025-10-24
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Limitation on Certain Institutes of Higher Education (DFARS Case 2024-D023) ↗ · final rule 2025-08-25 · effective 2025-08-25
Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.