Oregon A.G. Reforms State's University Technology Transfer Process

By streamlining what has been perceived as a lengthy review process for university technology licensing deals, Oregon Attorney General John Kroger hopes to eliminate barriers between Oregon universities and entrepreneurs, thereby accelerating private sector job creation.

Unlike most other states, Oregon law mandates the state Department of Justice conduct a separate legal review for its larger technology transfer deals. Tony Green, spokesman for Attorney General John Kroger, said the perception that the process moves more slowly in Oregon was impeding the state's ability to make deals. The attorney general's office reviewed how other states handled their review process and met with representatives in the venture capital community and attorneys who represent private clients in technology transfer negotiations.

The reforms announced by the attorney general's office last week to eliminate the mandatory review by the Department of Justice, considered "cumbersome and unwarranted" by special assistant attorneys general employed by the universities to conduct the review, was met with praise by university and business leaders. The universities, with assistance from their own legal offices and access to specialized attorneys, now will be ultimately responsible for the review process and protecting the interests of the state.

Inventions developed by Oregon State University (OSU) generated nearly $2.6 million for the university in FY08, according to the OSU Technology Transfer office.

A press release outlining the announcement is available at: http://www.doj.state.or.us/releases/2009/rel022609.shtml.

An executive summary outlining the reform of Oregon's technology transfer systems and processes is available at: http://www.doj.state.or.us/releases/2009/rel022609a.shtml.