Претензия по нарушению лицензии: Досудебная претензия в США

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Претензия по нарушению лицензии

Лицензиат нарушает условия вашего licensing agreement? Пошаговый гид по подготовке досудебной претензии (demand letter) по license breach в США.

70% Решается переговорами

10-14 Дней на cure

Contract + IP law

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Когда подавать претензию по license breach

Типичные ситуации

Лицензиат не платит royalty вовремя или вообще. Превышает scope of license (территория, field of use, volume). Сублицензирует без разрешения. Не предоставляет sales reports или audit access. Оспаривает validity вашего IP (no-challenge clause). Конкурирует с вами напрямую.

Типы licensing agreements

License breach споры зависят от типа лицензии:

Patent License
Разрешение использовать patented invention. Breach: использование outside field of use, сублицензирование без consent, non-payment royalty, challenging patent validity (no-challenge clause). Governed by contract law + patent law (35 USC).
Software/Technology License
EULA, SaaS license, source code license. Breach: превышение user limits, reverse engineering (если запрещено), redistribution, modification. Often includes IP + contract claims.
Trademark License
Право использовать brand/logo. Breach: использование outside approved products, quality control violations, geographic expansion без согласия, damage to brand reputation.
Copyright License (content, creative works)
Music, images, software, literature. Breach: use beyond scope, failure to attribute, commercial use when license non-commercial, sublicensing.
Trade Secret License
Confidential information + know-how. Breach часто overlap с NDA violation и trade secret misappropriation. Может включать DTSA claims параллельно contract breach.

Когда отправлять demand letter

Условие Что проверить Валидный license agreement Подписанный contract, consideration, mutual intent. Проверьте effective date, term, renewal provisions Material breach documented Конкретное нарушение: non-payment (с датами/суммами), scope violation (доказательства использования), audit findings Cure period в agreement Многие licenses имеют cure provision: "30 days written notice to cure". Compliance обязателен для termination No termination yet Demand letter обычно предшествует termination. Если уже terminated - это litigation, не demand Damages calculable Unpaid royalty, lost revenue от scope violation, costs для audit/enforcement. Liquidated damages если в contract

Critical: Cure provisions в license agreement

Большинство commercial licenses имеет cure provision: "If Licensee breaches, Licensor must provide written notice and [30] days opportunity to cure before termination." Если вы terminate БЕЗ proper notice и cure period - вы можете быть в breach сами. Проверьте contract ДО отправки demand letter.

Нужна помощь с pretензией по license breach?

Я готовлю demand letters для licensing споров с учетом contract terms и applicable IP law. Работаю на русском и английском. Фиксированная цена.

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Правовые основания для претензии

Contract law (breach of license agreement)

License agreement = contract, поэтому применяется state contract law:

Elements of breach
(1) Valid contract exists, (2) Licensor performed obligations, (3) Licensee breached specific provision, (4) Licensor suffered damages. Burden of proof on licensor - нужны доказательства breach + damages.
Material vs. immaterial breach
Material breach дает право на termination + damages. Immaterial (minor) breach = только damages. Materiality: substantial deprivation of benefit (Restatement § 241). Non-payment обычно material. Missed report deadline может быть immaterial если не влияет на royalty calculation.
Remedies
Damages (compensatory - unpaid royalty, lost profits), specific performance (редко для licenses), termination of license, injunction (prevent continued breach), declaratory relief (validity of contract).
Governing law clause
License agreement обычно содержит choice of law provision: "This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of [STATE]." Это определяет applicable contract law. Если нет - conflict of laws rules.

IP law overlay

В зависимости от типа licensed IP, могут быть дополнительные claims:

Тип IP Дополнительные claims при breach Statute Patent Patent infringement если использование outside scope of license (35 U.S.C. § 271) 35 U.S.C. § 271 Copyright Copyright infringement если reproduction/distribution beyond license (17 U.S.C. § 501) 17 U.S.C. § 501 Trademark Trademark infringement, false designation, dilution (15 U.S.C. § 1114, § 1125) Lanham Act Trade Secret Misappropriation if disclosure/use outside scope (DTSA, state UTSA) 18 U.S.C. § 1836

Когда license breach = IP infringement

Если licensee использует IP outside scope of license, это может быть И breach of contract, И infringement. Пример: patent license ограничена "field of medical devices", но licensee использует в consumer electronics - это patent infringement под 35 USC § 271. Вы можете assert оба claims параллельно. Infringement claims дают дополнительные remedies: statutory damages (copyright), enhanced damages (patent), attorney's fees.

Termination vs. suspension

Demand letter может требовать:

Cure + continuation
Licensee устраняет breach (платит задолженность, прекращает scope violation), license продолжается. Это default option если breach curable и вы хотите сохранить relationship.
Suspension
Temporary приостановка прав до cure. Используется для non-payment: "License suspended until payment received." Требует explicit provision в contract.
Termination for cause
Permanent прекращение license из-за material breach. Требует: (1) material breach, (2) compliance с cure provisions в contract, (3) written notice. После termination любое использование IP = infringement.

Консультация по licensing law

Разберу ваш license agreement, определю материальность breach, оценю remedies.

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Шаблоны pretензий по license breach

Структура demand letter

Стандартная претензия: (1) License identification - parties, effective date, license type, (2) Summary of breach - specific violations с датами/фактами, (3) Contractual provisions violated - cite sections agreement, (4) Damages - unpaid amounts, lost revenue, (5) Cure demand - что именно сделать, deadline (согласно contract cure period), (6) Consequences - termination, injunction, infringement claims, (7) Preservation notice.

Сниппеты для demand letter (EN)

Opening - License Breach

I represent [YOUR COMPANY] ("[Licensor]") in connection with the breach of the [TYPE] License Agreement dated [DATE] (the "License Agreement") by [LICENSEE COMPANY] ("[Licensee]"). Under the License Agreement, [Licensor] granted [Licensee] a [exclusive/non-exclusive] license to [DESCRIPTION OF LICENSED RIGHTS] in exchange for [ROYALTY TERMS]. This letter constitutes formal notice that [Licensee] has materially breached the License Agreement and demand that [Licensee] cure such breaches within [X] days as required by Section [X] of the License Agreement.

Укажите тип license (patent, software, trademark), дату, стороны

Breach - Non-Payment of Royalty

[Licensee] has failed to pay royalties as required by Section [X] of the License Agreement. Specifically: • Royalty payment for Q[X] 20[XX] in the amount of USD [AMOUNT] was due on [DATE] but has not been received as of this date ([X] days overdue); • Royalty payment for Q[X] 20[XX] in the amount of USD [AMOUNT] was due on [DATE] but has not been received ([X] days overdue); • Total unpaid royalty: USD [TOTAL AMOUNT] Section [X] of the License Agreement requires royalty payments within [X] days of the end of each quarter, accompanied by a detailed sales report. [Licensee] has provided neither payment nor reports. This non-payment constitutes a material breach under Section [X] of the License Agreement and [STATE] law.

Перечислите все unpaid periods с точными суммами и due dates

Breach - Scope Violation

[Licensee] has exceeded the scope of the license granted under the License Agreement in the following respects: (a) Geographic Scope: Section [X] limits the license to [TERRITORY], but [Licensee] has been selling licensed products in [UNAUTHORIZED TERRITORY] since at least [DATE], as evidenced by [EVIDENCE: website, invoices, distributor agreements]; (b) Field of Use: Section [X] restricts use to [FIELD], but [Licensee] is using the licensed [IP] in [UNAUTHORIZED FIELD], specifically [DESCRIPTION]; (c) Volume Limitation: Section [X] caps licensed units at [X] per year, but [Licensee]'s sales reports indicate [X] units sold in 20[XX], exceeding the cap by [X] units. Each of these constitutes use outside the scope of the license and therefore constitutes [patent/copyright/trademark] infringement under applicable law, in addition to breach of contract.

Scope violations часто дают IP infringement claims параллельно contract breach

Breach - Sublicensing Without Consent

Section [X] of the License Agreement explicitly prohibits [Licensee] from sublicensing, assigning, or otherwise transferring any rights under the License Agreement without [Licensor]'s prior written consent. Despite this prohibition, [Licensor] has discovered that [Licensee] has entered into a sublicense or similar arrangement with [THIRD PARTY NAME] dated approximately [DATE]. Specifically: • [THIRD PARTY] is manufacturing/selling/using [LICENSED IP] under an arrangement with [Licensee]; • [Licensee] has not sought or obtained [Licensor]'s consent; • [THIRD PARTY] is not a party to any agreement with [Licensor] and has no license rights. This unauthorized sublicensing is a material breach of Section [X] and has caused [Licensor] to lose control over the use and quality of [LICENSED IP], resulting in [DESCRIPTION OF HARM: lost royalty, brand damage, competitive harm].

Unauthorized sublicensing = серьезное нарушение, often grounds for immediate termination

Cure Demand

Pursuant to Section [X] of the License Agreement, [Licensor] hereby demands that [Licensee] cure the foregoing breaches no later than [DATE] at 5:00 p.m. [TIME ZONE] (the "Cure Period") by taking the following actions: (a) Pay all outstanding royalty in the total amount of USD [AMOUNT] via wire transfer to [ACCOUNT DETAILS]; (b) Provide all overdue sales reports for [PERIODS]; (c) Immediately cease all use of [LICENSED IP] outside the authorized [geographic scope / field of use / volume]; (d) Provide written confirmation of compliance with (a)-(c), including supporting documentation; (e) [If applicable: Terminate all unauthorized sublicense arrangements and notify all sublicensees that they have no rights under the License Agreement]. The Cure Period specified above complies with Section [X] of the License Agreement, which requires [X] days written notice and opportunity to cure.

Cure period должен соответствовать contract provision (обычно 10-30 дней)

Consequences - Termination + Infringement

If [Licensee] fails to cure the breaches within the Cure Period, [Licensor] will terminate the License Agreement effective immediately pursuant to Section [X] ("Termination for Cause"). Upon termination, all rights granted to [Licensee] under the License Agreement will cease, and any continued use, manufacture, sale, or other exploitation of [LICENSED IP] will constitute: • [Patent/Copyright/Trademark] infringement under [35 U.S.C. § 271 / 17 U.S.C. § 501 / 15 U.S.C. § 1114]; • Breach of contract under [STATE] law; • [If applicable: Misappropriation of trade secrets under the Defend Trade Secrets Act (18 U.S.C. § 1836) and [STATE] UTSA]. [Licensor] will seek all available remedies, including: • Preliminary and permanent injunction prohibiting any further use of [LICENSED IP]; • Damages for unpaid royalty, lost profits, and unjust enrichment; • [If applicable: Statutory damages under copyright law (17 U.S.C. § 504); Enhanced damages for willful patent infringement (35 U.S.C. § 284)]; • Attorneys' fees and costs as provided in Section [X] of the License Agreement and applicable law; • An accounting of all sales and revenues derived from unauthorized use.

После termination любое использование = infringement. Это усиливает leverage

Нужна адаптация шаблона под ваш license agreement?

Я персонализирую demand letter с учетом вашего contract, breach, cure provisions.

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Частые вопросы (FAQ)

Зависит от no-challenge clause в license agreement. Многие licenses содержат: "Licensee shall not challenge the validity or enforceability of [IP]." Такие clauses generally enforceable, но не абсолютны. В patent context - Lear v. Adkins (1969) ограничил enforcement. В copyright/trademark - обычно enforceable. Если licensee challenges validity в breach context - это может быть additional breach + breach of good faith. Но challenge не всегда останавливает termination за non-payment.

Partial cure не считается full cure для termination purposes, если breach material. Вы можете: (1) принять partial payment "without prejudice" и потребовать остаток в новом deadline, (2) reject partial cure и proceed с termination, (3) negotiate settlement. Если принимаете partial payment - обязательно укажите письменно: "Accepted as partial payment only, does not constitute waiver of breach or right to terminate." Иначе можно waive termination rights.

Если license agreement не содержит cure provision, common law может implied reasonable opportunity to cure для non-material breaches. Для material breach многие jurisdictions позволяют immediate termination. Но best practice - всегда дать reasonable notice (10-30 дней) даже если contract не требует. Это снижает risk wrongful termination claim. Для non-payment breach обычно достаточно 10-14 дней. Для quality/scope issues - 30 дней более безопасно.

Большинство licenses имеет audit clause: право осмотра records с reasonable notice. Если licensee refuses - это breach. Process: (1) send formal audit request согласно contract (usually 30 days notice), (2) если refuses - send cure demand, (3) если still refuses - seek court order compelling audit + preliminary injunction на continued use пока audit не проведен. В некоторых contracts: failure to permit audit = deemed admission of maximum possible liability.

Только если license agreement explicit предусматривает suspension. Без contractual basis suspension может быть рассматриваться как breach by licensor. Если хотите suspension - включите в demand letter: "If payment not received by [DATE], license will be suspended pursuant to Section [X] pending cure." После cure license reinstates. Suspension полезна для preserving long-term relationship while enforcing immediate compliance.

Зависит от license agreement. Обычно: (1) если "terminates immediately" - все использование прекращается, включая derivative works, (2) если "sell-off period" - licensee может продавать existing inventory, (3) для software - end users могут сохранять использование если "perpetual" end-user licenses. Для patent license - derivative products могут быть subject к "march-in rights". В copyright - derivative works могут иметь separate protection если sufficiently transformative. All должно быть specified в termination provision contract.

Зависит от complexity и IP type. Pure contract breach (no IP claims): $100K-300K до trial. License breach + patent infringement: $500K-2M+. License breach + trade secret misappropriation: $300K-1M. Factors: discovery scope (audit records, sales data), expert witnesses (damages calculation, IP valuation), motion practice. Большинство cases settle после discovery. Если attorney's fees provision в contract - prevailing party может recover fees, это leverage для settlement.

Остались вопросы по license enforcement?

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Контакты и услуги

Я помогаю российским и международным компаниям enforce licensing agreements в США. Услуги:

Консультация (30 мин Zoom)
Разбор вашей ситуации, review license agreement, оценка materiality breach, стратегия enforcement. Объясняю cure requirements, termination procedure, damages calculation.
Подготовка demand letter
Полный текст на английском с учетом вашего license agreement, breach evidence, cure provisions. Compliance с contractual notice requirements. Фиксированная цена.
License agreement review
Оценка enforceability, identification слабых мест, рекомендации по amendments для future protection.
Termination execution
Помощь с formal termination notice, coordination post-termination actions (cease use, return materials), transition к litigation если необходимо.

Почему обращаются ко мне

Работаю на русском и английском. Опыт с cross-border licensing (Russia/CIS → USA). Понимаю как contract law взаимодействует с IP law (patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret). Фокус на practical enforcement - не только demand letter, но и strategy переговоров и litigation. Фиксированная цена на demand letter.

Услуга Описание Формат Консультация Разбор ситуации, стратегия, Q&A 30 мин Zoom Demand Letter Полный текст на EN, personalized 3-5 страниц License Review Enforceability assessment + recommendations Written memo Termination Execution Formal notices, post-termination coordination Ongoing

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