These are licensing opportunities of fundamental patents, not refined brands or manufacturing processes. These patents or pending patents are for foundation technologies such as the Otto Engine. The Otto engine is the world's most common car engine and named after the patent holder - Nicolaus August Otto 1877. Widespread application of his engine did not occur until the patent expired around 1900.
There are two approaches to patents. Use them to protect your own products from intellectual property theft and license them to others for their use in return for royalties. In the past 1/2 century the second option has been rarely used, but it is the same approach used by Jacques Cousteau and Emile Gagnon. Their company, Liquide Aire, is not a common name, but many of their licensees (US Divers) are still major companies today.
Today, there are small number of little known, highly successful innovation companies (such as the inventor of the Segway - DEKA R&D) who use this method successfully. It allows companies such as Dark Sky to focus on developing what they do best, innovation, while not losing focus dealing with production, marketing, sales and fulfillment. Maintaining a top innovation team is expensive and most companies can no longer justify the cost. Independent R&D and patent licensing is a powerful solution to providing the needed innovation at reduced financial risk.
All of Dark Sky's patents, and pending patents, are made available under non-commercial use agreements. If you, or your organization, collects no revenue from their use - they are free for you to use. If there is revenue, Dark Sky collects royalties to fund our organization and produce new innovations. We understand that handing off patents is much harder than it looks, so we also provide contract consulting services so your license will be successful