Proposal:
An overseas company with well established ties to the University through previous research projects proposes developing a joint insitute based in Liverpool. The Insitute would be funded by the overseas company with a joint leadership structure. Several staff from the company would be based in Liverpool each year along with PhD students. The Insitute would carry out research specifically into developing telecommunications and information technology. Any IP created as part of the project would be owned by the Company with an agreement for the University to use the IP for non-commerical reasons.
Action:
At the proposal stage no specific Items on the UK Strategic Export Control list could be identified. Arising IP will likely create Items that would be added to the UK Strategic Export Control list. Therefore, an end-user check should be carried out to assess for any potential concerns regarding WMD, Military or End-USer concerns if the company is based in a key country.
An assessment under the National Security & Investment Act (2021) should also be made. It's likely a voluntary notification for asset acquistion (ownership of IP) should be made to the UK Government. The proposed Insitute agreement should not be finalised until the NSIA notification is cleared or an assessment is made that a notification isn't required. If a notification is made under NSIA and it is cleared for go ahead then indvidual Export Control Licences should be obtained for specific Items on the Control List which will be exported to the company overseas through the Insitute.
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