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Explore the key facets of intellectual property in research, from laws to commercialization. Learn how to leverage IP to enhance research programs and attract funding opportunities.
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IP Issues in Research Jim Baker, Executive Director Innovation, and Industry Engagement
Objectives • Inform researchers on issues related to intellectual property in research. • Relevant laws, policies, and rationale for University approach to IP rights. • Basics of patenting, commercialization, and patent licensing. • Relationship of IP rights to general progress and advancement of academic research programs. • Breadth versus depth – follow up for details.
Outline • Background • Terminology • University Policies • Federal Rules • Federal Contracting Issues • Industrial Contracting Issues • Patent Commercialization and Licensing Basics • Using IP to grow your Research Program
Terminology • Ownership • Sole control of an asset (Intellectual Property (IP) in this context). • Subject to any legal encumbrances. • License • The right to use an asset/IP. • Exclusive License • A license under which the licensor agrees to not provide licenses to any third party. • Non-Exclusive License • A license under which the licensor reserves the right to provide licenses to third parties.
Relevant Federal Rules • 37 CFR 401 (Bayh-Dole Act) • Universities own inventions created from work sponsored by the federal government • IRS Revenue Procedure 2007-47 (Tax Free Bond Act) • Prohibits use of tax-exempt financed buildings for “private use” • Private use includes transferring IP ownership to sponsors at less than market value
Federal Contracting Issues • Bayh-Dole provides the University with ownership of inventions • Simplifies contracting but comes with conditions • Legal and contractual obligations to disclose inventions to the funding agency. • Obligation to pursue commercialization • in the United States • with a preference for small businesses if possible.
Industrial Contracting Issues • University owns project generated IP • University grants sponsors: • A royalty-free right non-exclusive license. • The first option to a royalty bearing exclusive license. • Tax-free bond act generally prohibits transfer of ownership and up-front designation of license terms. • Research rights/Freedom to operate
Technology Commercialization Process Commercialization Stage Invention Patent License Idea Commercialization Steps Development Demonstration Probability of Success Enablement Invention Disclosure Effort/Time
Get Started – Invention Disclosure • University forms • Know the details • Identify applications/partners
Technology Assessment • Technical maturity • What needs to be done to reach the market • What are the related research needs/opportunities • Patentability • Is the invention ‘enabled’ – can it be reproduced • Will a patent impact our ability to attract research funding and commercial partners. • Market • Is there sufficient probability and magnitude value of revenue (research or royalty) to justify the investment.
Leveraging IP for Research • Technology commercialization produces funding opportunities: • Corporate partner research sponsorship • Federal Small Business Innovation and Technology Transfer Research (SBIR/STTR) • Private Investment • Specialized technology gap funds • Business plan competitions
Example of Research and Commercialization Alignment • Discovery from federal research that has potentially significant public benefit and commercial potential. • $20k proof of concept study • Michigan Universities Commercialization Initiative (MUCI). • $60k next stage proof of concept • Funded by MUCI • Support letter from private sector partner. • $230k validation study • $70k MUCI • $160k from private sector partner with an option to license technology • $230k development/further research • NIH STTR Phase I • $110k subcontract to Michigan Tech • Currently preparing $1.3M NIH STTR Phase II • $370k subcontract to Michigan Tech
Example Outcomes to-date • ~ $800,000 in sponsored research • 3 years Ph.D. student funding • 2 years lab tech funding • 4 publications in preparation • 6 published conference proceedings • $25,000 in royalties • Equity in startup company (indeterminate value)
Funding Opportunities • Early stage technologies • Funding available through traditional research funding programs • Mid-stage technologies • Technology gap funds • SBIR/STTR – need corporate partner • You can create that partner or we can seek one out • Startup company with private investment • Demonstrated Technology • Corporate sponsored research and development
Michigan Tech Experience Base • Michigan Tech is a national leader in: • Proportion of research sponsored by industry • Number of license agreements per dollar of research • Number of invention disclosures per dollar of research • As a result we have staff experienced in: • Appropriate contract term negotiation • Managing conflicts of interest • Startup business development • Commercialization planning and implementation
Contacts Jim Baker Executive Director, Innovation and Industry Engagement jrbaker@mtu.edu 487-2228 Robin Kolehmainen Patent/License Manager rakolehm@mtu.edu 487-2228
Web Resources Intellectual Property Internal Forms: http://www.mtu.edu/research/references/forms/#ted