Commission Regulation on rules for the dissemination of research results
On 15 December 1995, the European Commission adopted Commission Regulation (EC) No 2897/95 on the implementation of Council Decision 94/762/EC (OJ No L 306 of 30.11.1994 p. 5) concerning the rules for the dissemination of the research results from the specific programmes for research and technological development (RTD) of the European Community. The Regulation sets out specific arrangements for the implementation of the rules for the dissemination of research results established by the above-mentioned Council Decision, particularly with regard to work carried out under shared-cost contracts involving several partners from both industry and the scientific world. Shared-cost contracts have become the predominant means of implementing the Community's specific RTD programmes and account for the greater portion of the total financing allocated for the entire Framework Programme. The increasing number of these multi-partner projects and the industrial component in various programmes has necessitated the adoption of harmonized contractual clauses concerning the dissemination and exploitation of knowledge (results and inventions, whether patentable or not) in connection with research and development contracts concluded by the Commission. The Regulation notably states that contractors shall be required to develop, exploit or commercialize the knowledge which they own, or have it developed, exploited or commercialized, within a contractually agreed period (Article 5.1). The aim of the Regulation is to help ensure that the results of Community research are effectively exploited or commercialized, thereby strengthening the international competitiveness of Community industry.