Technology Transfer

WHAT TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER INVOLVES

Technology transfer is the process of protecting, marketing and transferring intellectual property to industry. Protecting intellectual property consists of patenting, copyrighting, or trademarking the property in order to provide legal protection for the creator. Marketing intellectual property is the process of researching the industry and targeting companies in the industry that could benefit from its use. The final step, transferring, involves licensing the intellectual property to a company that intends to commercialize it.

View process

Researcher putting sensor on top of car at the Elk Mountain Observatory

The following outlines the technology transfer process:

  1. Idea/Invention
  2. Initial Review (Back of Envelope Assessments)
  3. In-Depth Review (Patent, Literature, Market Research)
  4. Intellectual Property Protection
    1. Copyright, Trademark, Trade Secret
    2. Patent
      1. File Provisional Patent Application (Low Cost Protection)
      2. Patentability Opinion (Scope of Protection Available)
      3. Positive Opinion (Pursue Patent)
      4. Prepare & Prosecute Patent Application (Work with Patent Counsel)
      5. Issued Patents (Maintenance of Portfolio)
  5. Commercialize (Prospecting & Marketing, Negotiate Option & License Agreements, Start-up Company Formation)
    • Economic Development (Royalities to University and Inventors)
    • Research & Development Agreements (Work Closely with Industry)