IP Ownership Provisions in Technology Development Contracts

Technology development contracts are an important legal form for technological cooperation between enterprises.

In commissioned development contracts, the commissioning party provides funding and requirements while the developer handles technical implementation. According to the Civil Code, unless otherwise agreed, the IP rights belong to the developer.

For joint development, the IP rights belong to the parties jointly, unless otherwise agreed. The parties should specify the scope and method of exercising the joint IP rights.

The contract should specify ownership of improvements made after delivery. Typically, each party owns the improvements they independently make unless otherwise agreed.