tech transfer

The report seeks to inform policy makers and
encourage Federal lab tech transfer to ensure the U.S. remains ahead globally in technological innovation. For each department, there is a summary
tabulation of technology transfer activity statistics, background on the agency’s technology transfer programs, and discussion of the agencies’ case examples.

The report summarizes the Department of Commerce’s ongoing technology transfer activities and achievements throughout fiscal year 2001.

This paper discusses mechanisms available to universities in managing the commercialization of intellectual property, considering equity as a technology transfer mechanism that offers advantages for both generating revenue and aligning the interests of universities, industry and faculty.

The paper offers a new theoretical framework to examine the role of intermediaries between creators and potential users of new inventions. Using a model of university-industry technology transfer, the authors demonstrate that technology transfer offices can provide an opportunity to economize on a critical component of efficient innovation investments.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation report indicates that Michigan is performing at the level of the national average in tech transfer. The report holds that Michigan is an improving top-tier commercialization state, using statistics and measurements to create benchmarks in the areas of tech transfer and entrepreneurial activity.

The U.S. General Accounting Office report finds that the Department of Energy has reduced the use of cooperative research and development agreements by more than 90 percent while increasing the number of agreements fully funded by private partners. DOE has also cut the provision of technical assistance to small businesses by more than 70 percent.

The paper examines three academic institutions that have been the leading recipients of licensing and royalty income for much of the 1990s to show that the Bayh-Dole Act itself has had little impact on the content of academic research.

The paper suggests that more empirical and statistical research is needed to determine whether or not increased emphasis on intellectual property rights is achieving the desired results. The team’s current work stems from initial research questioning some of the commonly held beliefs about the impact of the Bayh-Dole Act of 1980, which made it easier for universities to retain title to inventions resulting from government-funded research.

The report from the Association of University Technology Managers commercialization of academic research indicates that business activity associated with sales of products from academic research last year is estimated to have generated $5 billion in tax revenues in the U.S. at the federal, state, and local levels. Responding to the survey were 139 U.S. universities (including 94 of the top 100 research universities), 29 U.S. teaching hospitals and research institutes, 20 Canadian institutions, and one patent management firm.

The paper by the Council on Government Relations provides a good primer on the subject from the perspective of the academic institution. The document also provides the historical and political framework for university involvement in technology transfer as well as advice on establishing an intellectual property (IP) policy and managing IP assets.