Technology transfer process at universities
Technology transfer is the movement of knowledge and discoveries to the general public. It can occur through distributions, innovative breakthroughs, trades at gatherings, and associations with industry.
The Technology transfer process outlined below is a collaborative process between the inventor and university, during which the identification, protection, and commercialization of intellectual property occurs.
Here is summarized in the steps of technology commercialization at university. Note that these steps can vary in sequence and often occur simultaneously.
Step 1: Research
Observation and experiments during research activities often lead to discoveries and inventors. An invention is any useful process, machine, composition of matter, or any new or useful improvement of the same. Often, multiple researchers may have contributed to the invention.
Step 2: Submission
The written notice of invention to the Technology Transfer Office that begins the formal technology transfer process. And invention disclosure remains a confidential document, and should fully document your invention so that the options for commercialization can be evaluated and pursued.
Step 3: Assessment
Technology transfer Officer reviews the invention disclosure, analyzes the market and commercialization potential. Officers on the basis of this review will guide the go-to-market strategy.
Note: Decentralized Assessment System (DAS). DAS is a peer review system that uses an incentive model with reputational rewards and produces a quantifiable metric about the quality and reliability of any dataset(s). DAS is designed specifically for asset assessment in expertise-intensive areas, such as scientific research.
Step 4: Protection
Patents assist in the process of patent protection for your invention. During this time technical details, data, and substantiation are provided to patent attorneys to assist in the likelihood of securing a patent.
Step 5: Marketing
With a researcher’s assistance, office staff identify companies that have the resources and business networks necessary to bring the technology to market. A researcher’s active involvement in this stage can drastically enhance this process.
Step 6: Licensing and commercialization
Technology transfer office makes inventions resulting from university research available to the public through licenses. Certain rights in the technology are granted to the licensee, under specific terms and conditions, as specified by university policy.
