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¹ú²ú´«Ã½ research leads to new discoveries, technologies, and inventions that are protectable,ÌýoftenÌýwith a patent. Patent protection may beÌýsoughtÌýfor new and useful processes, machines, articles of manufacture, compositions of matter, or improvements to the foregoing. Software or other tangible expressions of creative works can often be protected by copyrights.ÌýÌý

A CTTC licensing officer will review the disclosure and its scientific details with the inventorÌýin order toÌýachieve a deep understanding of the innovation. The officer will then perform anÌýassessment of market potential, patentability, capabilities for future development, and other salient issues affecting commercialization efforts.Ìý

CTTC works to understand the significance, ownership, technical and commercial aspects, and potential of the invention. The evaluation process can be broken into two distinct steps: Cursory Assessment and In-depth Analysis. These two steps can typically be completed in about two months. The entire evaluation process often requires multiple discussions with the inventors toÌýoptimizeÌýthe outcome.Ìý

The licensing officer willÌýidentifyÌýand approach companiesÌýoperatingÌýin relevant marketsÌýtoÌýspark interest in licensing the invention. During this stage, details of the invention may be shared with companies under confidentiality agreements, and scientific discussions may be arranged with the inventors—often a key factor in generating market interest.ÌýThe marketing process consists of two individual steps: Market Analysis and Active Marketing.Ìý

CTTC helps investigators evaluate the start-up potential of their technologies against more standard licensing approaches, and for the right projects, connect them to capital, managers, advisors, and other service providers.Ìý

Startups can generate substantial return on investment for ¹ú²ú´«Ã½ and contribute to the economic growth and diversification of the local, regional, and state economies. They also have the potential to provide employment opportunities for graduates and spouses of university employees. Ìý

Depending on the type of invention, protection may include patents, copyrights, or other forms of intellectual property protection.ÌýCTTC works with inventors toÌýdetermineÌýthe best form of protection for each technology.ÌýPatenting is an element of the commercializationÌýprocess, not a goal in and of itself.Ìý

Licensing is the means by which CTTC transfers intellectual property from ¹ú²ú´«Ã½ to a company for commercial development. Each license is unique and includes a grant of rights to the company – essentially a promise that ¹ú²ú´«Ã½ will not sue the company for infringing intellectual property rights, in return for financial and other consideration. We seek inventor input regarding terms and obligations included in the license and keep them abreast of changes throughout the negotiation process.Ìý

Most patent licenses are exclusive in nature,ÌýwhereasÌýmost licenses for materials are non-exclusive.ÌýThe licensing processÌýincludes institutionalÌýdueÌýdiligence,Ìýnegotiation ofÌýbusinessÌýterms, andÌýlicenseÌýagreementÌýnegotiations.Ìý

Licenses areÌýmonitoredÌýto ensure that licenseesÌýare meetingÌýtheir contractual obligations to develop and market the licensed technologies. In addition, this processÌýaffirmsÌýpayment and reporting obligations are being metÌýin a timely manner.ÌýLicense audits are carried out at this stage as well.Ìý

It is not possible to successfully protect and commercialize all innovation resulting from ¹ú²ú´«Ã½ research activities. Human and financial resources are limited, and value-driven decisions must be made when electing which technologies to pursue. Inventions lacking sufficient market potential to justify the cost of protection, or for which the potential patent scope is deemed to be too narrow for commercialization, are not likely to be commercialized. National statistics show that about 1 in 5 of all technologies disclosed in academic institutions are licensed to industry.Ìý

In accordance withÌýthe ¹ú²ú´«Ã½ Policy on Technology and Literary and Artistic Works, inventions for which patenting and marketing are not pursued areÌýgenerally offeredÌýback to the inventors to pursue at their own expense. It is important to note that certain conditions and obligations apply in this circumstance. A principal expectation is that the inventor will actively pursue commercialization of the invention. If there is no intention to pursue commercialization, the invention is better served by staying with ¹ú²ú´«Ã½ to avoid conflicts that may arise from ongoing research efforts to advance the technology. CTTC is happy to investigate return possibilities with interested inventors if a case is closed.Ìý

More information on ¹ú²ú´«Ã½'s return of rights policy can be found here.

Results of an evaluation mayÌýindicateÌýthat a technology needs further development, prototyping, or proof of concept before it is ready for commercialization. In such cases, the invention will be put on hold until further data can beÌýgenerated,Ìýand the details of the invention can be expanded. CTTC willÌýassistÌýinÌýidentifyingÌýfunds for further development.Ìý

More information on funding for further devolopment can be found here.