The What, Why, and How of Technology Transfer
What is intellectual property or technology?
Intellectual property includes creative ideas or the knowledge base resulting from research and scholarly activities regardless of the discipline, including, but not limited to science, engineering, humanities, performing arts and fine arts. This knowledge base serves as a vehicle for new products and services and is therefore referred to as technology. Some examples of creative ideas resulting from research and scholarly activities include:
· New processes
· New materials and plants
· New machines
· New designs
· New sculptures
· New paintings
· New photographs
· New logos
· New plays
· New choreography
· New books or course materials
· New mode of delivery
· New poems
· New computer programs
· New marketing concepts
· New test methodologies
· New surveying methods or tools
· New use of existing materials or methods
· New musical compositions
Why technology transfer?
Moving early stage discoveries and creative works to the commercialization phase requires significant commitment of financial resources, experience in the product development process, an understanding of regulatory requirements, and compliance, the manufacturing and distribution capabilities, the existence of marketing, and sales organizations. Universities are good at creating new knowledge that can be used for new products and services; however, the commercialization phase requires significant financial investment risks. The business sector is better prepared and experienced for the commercialization phase to develop new products and services.
How is technology transfer accomplished?
The technology transfer is accomplished by maintaining the University‘s goals of teaching, research, and dissemination of knowledge. The technology is transferred to the private sector under licensing agreements to allow the business sector to use the technology to develop products and services, with the ultimate goal of enhancing the quality of life for society .
How does the University facilitate technology commercialization?
The University assigns the rights to legally protected IP to the for-profit sector to facilitate commercialization. The private sector makes an investment in legally protected technology and commits its resources for further development of product(s), manufacturing, marketing and, offering the final products or services for sale in a defined geographic territory, and the financial returns for these rights are agreed upon under a negotiated business agreement.
Why is intellectual property protected by legal means?
In order to succeed in the competitive business environment, the business community is interested in investing in technologies that are legally protected by appropriate means. The protection can be accomplished by:
· Patents
· Copyrights
· Trademarks
· Trade Secrets (also referred to as Proprietary Information)
The legal protection creates the necessary barriers for entry for competition, and thereby it becomes a competitive advantage hence an incentive for the business community to make an investment in an embryonic technology.
What are the key steps of the technology transfer process?
The technology transfer process begins with the invention disclosure filing by faculty, staff or students to the Office of Technology Transfer. The office conducts an evaluation of the technology and makes a determination of the commercialization potential. A decision is then made to protect the technology by appropriate legal means. The Office of Technology Transfer then begins marketing the technology, which results in linking the technology with a private sector partner. Execution of appropriate business agreements for a collaborative partnership with the private sector starts the commercialization process.
What should I do if I have questions about my idea?
Contact the Office of Technology Transfer so that we may work together to identify the appropriate steps necessary to protect your idea and determine a suitable marketing and commercialization path.
