Full licence details are on the Springbak® footwear licensing page.
Licensing FAQ
Springbak® Patent Licensing & Royalties FAQ
Answers to the questions footwear executives ask most about licensing Springbak® patented footwear technology, royalties and how an agreement comes together.
Commercial terms such as royalty rates are set case by case under agreement, so this page explains how they are worked out rather than quoting figures.
Full partnership terms are on the patented OEM footwear technology page.
Licensing at a glance
- Licensing tier: SB-LM, licensed manufacturing of the patented 1,4-polybutadiene composition
- Minimum licensing volume: 50,000 pairs per year
- Partners: minimum 3 years in footwear, ISO 9001 or an equivalent quality management system
- Protected by four U.S. patents: 5,554,694, 5,695,850, 6,120,880 and 6,589,630 B1
Patents and independent testing
In Weber State force-plate testing, more than twice the force was required to displace a standing subject on Springsoles compared with standing without them. The study measured standing stability only.
- U.S. Patent No. 5,554,694
- U.S. Patent No. 5,695,850
- U.S. Patent No. 6,120,880
- U.S. Patent No. 6,589,630 B1
Springbak patents · independent performance testing · partnership tiers
Frequently asked
- What does a Springbak® patent licence allow?
- A licence allows an established footwear manufacturer to produce the patented Springbak® composition in its own facilities under agreement, with formula and process transfer, 2 days of on-site training and certificate-of-conformance quality control.
- How are royalties calculated?
- Royalty structure is agreed individually with each licensee as part of the licensing agreement. Springbak does not publish standard royalty rates; terms are discussed after an evaluation enquiry.
- Is there a published royalty rate?
- No. Royalty and fee terms are confidential and set under agreement, so no rate is quoted publicly.
- What is the minimum volume for a licence?
- Licensing starts at 50,000 pairs per year.
- Who qualifies for a licence?
- Licensees need at least 3 years in footwear manufacturing and ISO 9001 or an equivalent quality management system.
- Which patents are licensed?
- Springbak® technology is protected by four U.S. patents: 5,554,694, 5,695,850, 6,120,880 and 6,589,630 B1.
- How is quality controlled under a licence?
- Every lot carries a certificate of conformance, with an optional quarterly performance audit.
- What if a full licence is not the right fit?
- Springbak also offers OEM component supply, private label and co-development. Compare the options on the partnership pages before choosing a licence.
- How do I start a licensing discussion?
- Submit an OEM evaluation enquiry. Springbak responds within two business days.