The war has become a powerful catalyst for the development of Ukrainian defense technologies. Drones, electronic warfare systems, communications equipment, software, and other innovative solutions are often created directly by military personnel, who best understand the needs of the front lines. However, one question remained unanswered for a long time: who would benefit from the commercial use of such developments, and how should the state protect the rights of their creators? We previously wrote an article on this topic, and now that new information has emerged, we are publishing an updated version.
In June 2026, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved a new procedure for managing intellectual property rights in the defense sector. From now on, military personnel who have created new technologies will receive at least 25% of the proceeds from licensing their developments. This decision not only establishes a fair compensation system for inventors but also opens up new opportunities for the development of the defense industry and the commercialization of military technologies.
How the New System Will Work
The new mechanism provides that state-owned defense technologies developed by the Ukrainian Armed Forces can be transferred to manufacturers through a transparent licensing system. This will allow companies to legally use military innovations for mass production, while the creators of these technologies will receive financial compensation.
The most significant innovation was the establishment of a minimum share of compensation for inventors. At least 25% of the funds received from paid licenses will be paid directly to the service members who developed the relevant technology. The remaining funds will be directed toward the development of military research, support for the units where these solutions were developed, as well as the legal protection of intellectual property and the further development of defense innovations.
At the same time, the government has provided that, in certain cases, licenses may be granted free of charge if required by national interests or the country’s defense capabilities.
Why This Is Important for Intellectual Property
In effect, this marks the first time the state has systematically regulated the commercialization of the intellectual property created by military personnel.
Previously, a significant portion of defense developments was created within military units, but the mechanism for transferring them to manufacturers and compensating the creators remained insufficiently regulated. This hindered the scaling up of promising technologies and did not provide sufficient motivation for further development.
The new regulations establish a transparent system for managing intellectual property rights, which applies not only to technologies for the production of weapons or military equipment but also to other intellectual property owned by the Defense Forces. In particular, the document covers the use of software, audio and video materials, photographs, and other content created in the military sphere.
Thus, intellectual property is increasingly viewed as a strategic national resource that requires not only legal protection but also effective management.
New Opportunities for the Defense Industry
The resolution is of great importance not only for the military but also for Ukrainian manufacturers of weapons and defense technologies.
The new procedure expands the licensing mechanism, which previously applied mainly to developments by the Ministry of Defense. It now covers technologies created by all components of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This means that significantly more promising developments will be able to enter mass production more quickly.
In addition, the document introduces competitive rules for businesses. In the case of an exclusive license, the manufacturer will be selected based on the results of a competitive bidding process. For non-exclusive licenses, equal access conditions are established, which should ensure fair competition among companies.
This approach not only allows for faster implementation of innovations into production but also encourages the private sector to invest in improving existing technologies, developing production capacity, and creating new products.
The introduction of a fair remuneration system is an important step for the development of Ukraine’s defense ecosystem. It demonstrates that intellectual property is created not only in scientific laboratories or private companies, but also directly on the battlefield.
When military personnel know that their innovations can not only be put into production but also generate legitimate compensation, this creates additional motivation for innovation. At the same time, the state gains the ability to scale up effective solutions more quickly and provide them to the Ukrainian military.
In effect, the new mechanism aligns the interests of the state, inventors, and manufacturers, creating a unified system for managing defense intellectual property. This very approach has long been used in many countries where military technologies serve as the foundation for the development of innovative civilian industries.
Thus, the introduction of new rules for licensing defense technologies has become an important step in the development of Ukraine’s intellectual property protection system. Military personnel who create innovative solutions for defense needs will now receive not only recognition but also guaranteed financial compensation for the use of their developments. At the same time, the new mechanism opens up more opportunities for cooperation between the government and the defense industry, facilitates the rapid implementation of new technologies into production, and strengthens the legal protection of intellectual property in the defense sector.
If you need advice on registering rights to inventions, licensing agreements, technology commercialization, or the protection of intellectual property, please contact our law firm. We will help you effectively protect your innovations and realize their commercial potential.
intellectual property / invention / inventor / military technologies
