While the work of TTOs and research managers can seem transactional as you’re filing patents, negotiating licenses, securing funding, and handling a variety of agreements, at the heart of technology transfer is customer service. And your most important customers are right in your own backyard: Your faculty inventors.

The relationship between the TTO and the faculty inventor is paramount to any project’s success. But sometimes egos get in the way, goals are misaligned, or communication breaks down, putting your critical faculty relationships at risk along with the prospects for successful commercialization. It’s in these times when a customer service mentality is most important to smooth the rough edges, address problems, and lower the temperature for everyone’s benefit — the TTO, the researcher, and the university. These situations can be tough to maneuver, but when handled with care can actually serve to strengthen faculty relationships, rather than damage them.

That’s why we’ve partnered with UNeMed’s Joe Runge, JD, for this inspiring and highly practical one-hour program: Improving Faculty Inventor Relations: Keeping the Peace and Resolving Conflict, scheduled for November 30th. Join Mr. Runge, a long-time tech transfer leader, as he discusses how to tailor a customer service approach to technology transfer, how to work with all the various faculty personalities, the TTO’s role when inventors make “messes,” and dealing with a host of other difficult situations – and resolving them with relationships intact.

For complete details or to register, click here.

Also coming soon:

• Staffing Your TTO: Managing turnover, “quiet quitting,” remote work and other HR challenges — Wednesday, December 14, 2022

While the work of TTOs and research managers can seem transactional as you’re filing patents, negotiating licenses, securing funding, and handling a variety of agreements, at the heart of technology transfer is customer service. And your most important customers are right in your own backyard: Your faculty inventors.

The relationship between the TTO and the faculty inventor is paramount to any project’s success. But sometimes egos get in the way, goals are misaligned, or communication breaks down, putting your critical faculty relationships at risk along with the prospects for successful commercialization. It’s in these times when a customer service mentality is most important to smooth the rough edges, address problems, and lower the temperature for everyone’s benefit — the TTO, the researcher, and the university. These situations can be tough to maneuver, but when handled with care can actually serve to strengthen faculty relationships, rather than damage them.

That’s why we’ve partnered with UNeMed’s Joe Runge, JD, for this inspiring and highly practical one-hour program: Improving Faculty Inventor Relations: Keeping the Peace and Resolving Conflict, scheduled for November 30th. Join Mr. Runge, a long-time tech transfer leader, as he discusses how to tailor a customer service approach to technology transfer, how to work with all the various faculty personalities, the TTO’s role when inventors make “messes,” and dealing with a host of other difficult situations – and resolving them with relationships intact.

For complete details or to register, click here.

Also coming soon:

• This Thursday, November 10th: Scaling University Start-Ups at Warp Speed: Launch a HyperAccelerator Program

Building corporate partnerships — particularly those with high impact and strategic value — requires time and patience, often accompanied by long lead times. Attracting the right partner, for the right project, at the right time takes a multi-faceted approach that is part marketing and communication, part science, and part data curation. Without each part, your efforts may fall short of expectations on both sides.

That’s why we’ve  produced a partnership-building distance learning program featuring two university leaders with unique approaches to finding and landing significant collaborations that are driving growth and creating new opportunities on both sides of the deal. Best Practices for Universities in Targeting High-Potential Partnerships, now available in on-demand video with all speaker Powerpoints plus a full print transcript, features these two stellar industry engagement leaders:

• Scott Morley, MBA, Director of the Office of Industry & Economic Partnerships at the University of Pittsburgh. Scott is the architect behind a Salesforce-driven partnering platform — including a key Opportunity Report — that helps Pitt’s business development team match industry needs with research expertise and technologies available for licensing.
• Tom Waters, Assistant Director of Startups & Business Development for the University of South Florida. Tom brings with him years of corporate engagement experience and will share USF’s novel approach to generating partnership buzz among VCs, start-ups, and corporations.

For complete program details or to order, click here.

Auburn University has just opened a new Research and Innovation Campus in Huntsville, AL, as it seeks to expand applied research offerings for both industry and government agencies based in the increasingly high-tech city. continue reading »

University faculty, researchers, and students typically utilize open-source software to facilitate research or incorporate into their own innovations because it is easily accessible, free of charge, and contains useful features. But don’t mistake the free-of-cost nature as also meaning free of legal obligations or the potential to impact your university’s commercialization efforts that incorporate OS code. In addition to copyright and trademark compliance, there may also be complications with funding agencies, patent holders, and your own ability to pursue patents or other forms of IP protection.

On top of that, the issues surrounding open source are often misunderstood by researchers (and sometimes by TTOs), making it essential that you have a solid foundation of OS know-how to answer faculty questions as well as to plot your IP strategy. Evaluating each type of open-source license and knowing which is right for your situation – and what obligations and complications they may introduce – is crucial to navigating this tricky area.

To help you and your faculty gain a solid understanding of this often-misunderstood topic – and incorporate that knowledge into your IP protection plans – we’ve tapped IP attorney Tyson Benson to lead this practical one-hour webinar: Licensing Open-Source Software: Mitigating Potential Pitfalls, Addressing Misperceptions, and Managing Impact on University IP, scheduled for TOMORROW, November 2nd.

For complete details or to register, click here.

Also coming soon:

• Scaling University Start-Ups at Warp Speed: Launch a HyperAccelerator Program | Thursday, November 10, 2022
• Improving Faculty Inventor Relations: Keeping the Peace and Resolving Conflict | Wednesday, November 30, 2022

When licensing intellectual property, the ability to structure an agreement that appropriately values the IP and balances financial risk between the licensor and licensee is critical to a successful deal. Royalty rates are among the most heavily negotiated license provisions, and determining appropriate rates involves valuation of the IP, understanding the potential market, technical and legal risks to the licensee, and a whole slew of other factors.

The reality is that not all TTOs have the resources to farm out every deal to high-price valuation and legal professionals, yet they still need to craft terms and rates that will get the deal done and appropriately reward the university, the inventors, and the licensee. Ultimately, they have to find a way to strike a deal that works, often without much outside help. 

That’s why we’ve partnered with Sean Sheridan, PhD, MBA, a principal in the Life Sciences Practice at Charles River Associates, to present this detailed webinar: Determining Royalty Rates for University IP: A Webinar Workshop for Tech Transfer and IP Professionals, scheduled for this Thursday, October 27th. Dr. Sheridan has experience on both sides of the table. As a former assistant director in the University of Chicago tech transfer office, he understands the challenges TTOs face. He’ll give attendees a clear, concise look at crafting win-win licenses and royalty rates for your IP that close the deal while giving the university the financial returns it deserves.

For complete program details or to register, click here.

Also coming soon:

• Licensing Open-Source Software: Mitigating Potential Pitfalls, Addressing Misperceptions, and Managing Impact on University IP | Wednesday, November 2, 2022
• Scaling University Start-Ups at Warp Speed: Launch a HyperAccelerator Program | Thursday, November 10, 2022
• Improving Faculty Inventor Relations: Keeping the Peace and Resolving Conflict | Wednesday, November 30, 2022

When it comes to data and its monetization, things are different — and more complex — than with the intellectual property universities typically deal with. Laws and regulations relating to consent and privacy must be navigated, along with issues related to the rights of the licensee and how royalties are distributed. And while virtually all institutions have patent policies in place covering ownership and handling of patentable inventions, data policies are still very mixed and sometimes completely absent. As more and more institutions monetize their data, the importance of a well-considered institutional data policy has become critical.

That’s why we’ve produced the distance learning collection Data Licensing, Protection and Policy for Universities, featuring two outstanding programs that combined will give you a clear roadmap for how to nail down data policies, address the tricky issues related to privacy, effectively protect your data-driven innovations, and license your valuable data to third parties while steering clear of legal potholes.

The collection includes our digital package (on-demand video and transcript), along with all program materials prepared by our expert panelists. You can share it throughout your organization. For complete details, click here.

University faculty, researchers, and students typically utilize open-source software to facilitate research or incorporate into their own innovations because it is easily accessible, free of charge, and contains useful features. But don’t mistake the free-of-cost nature as also meaning free of legal obligations or the potential to impact your university’s commercialization efforts that incorporate OS code. In addition to copyright and trademark compliance, there may also be complications with funding agencies, patent holders, and your own ability to pursue patents or other forms of IP protection.

On top of that, the issues surrounding open source are often misunderstood by researchers (and sometimes by TTOs), making it essential that you have a solid foundation of OS know-how to answer faculty questions as well as to plot your IP strategy. Evaluating each type of open source license and knowing which is right for your situation – and what obligations and complications they may introduce – is crucial to navigating this tricky area.

To help you and your faculty gain a solid understanding of this often-misunderstood topic – and incorporate that knowledge into your IP protection plans – we’ve tapped IP attorney Tyson Benson to lead this practical one-hour webinar: Licensing Open-Source Software: Mitigating Potential Pitfalls, Addressing Misperceptions, and Managing Impact on University IP, scheduled for November 2nd.

For complete details or to register, click here.

Also coming soon:

• Determining Royalty Rates for University IP: A Webinar Workshop for Tech Transfer and IP Professionals | Thursday, October 27, 2022
• Scaling University Start-Ups at Warp Speed: Launch a HyperAccelerator Program | Thursday, November 10, 2022
• Improving Faculty Inventor Relations: Keeping the Peace and Resolving Conflict | Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Landing an industry research partnership is no easy task and can take years to complete, but in many cases the “last mile” — when contracts are negotiated and drafted — is the toughest. It’s also the point at which the long-term value you hope to create with your corporate partner can either be cemented or put in jeopardy. The terms you agree on can set the stage for an incredibly productive and long-lasting relationship, but without proper alignment and careful drafting they can also set the deal up for confusion, conflict and failure.

That’s why we’ve created Drafting and Negotiating Industry-Sponsored Research Agreements, a four-program distance learning collection that’s filled with best practices, expert guidance, and key strategies that will ensure your industry partnership agreements are built to last.

These programs cover some of the most critical and trickiest issues you’ll face, including master research agreements, IP rights, preferential rights, and conflicts of interest – four outstanding sessions that you can share with staff and keep for future education and training. Here’s what’s included:

• Session 1: Drafting and Negotiating Master Research Agreements
• Session 2: Drafting and Negotiating IP Rights in Sponsored Research Agreements
• Session 3: Drafting and Negotiating Preferential Rights in University IP Licenses and Sponsored Research Agreements
• Session 4: Preserving Sponsored Research Integrity: Fortifying Contractual Language and University Policy to Prevent Bias and COI

For complete details on the collection, click here.

The NSF’s new Technology, Innovation and Partnerships Directorate (TIP) represents a huge opportunity for university funding specifically for partnership development and other activities aimed at commercializing technologies and increasing U.S. competitiveness.

Universities ready to act on these opportunities will be the big beneficiaries in terms of valuable research partnerships and new commercialization programs. That’s why we’ve invited Dr. Erwin Gianchandani, NSF’s Assistant Director for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships and one of the new directorate’s architects, to deliver this important webinar: NSF’s New TIP Directorate: Tap Into New Partnership and Commercialization Funding Opportunities.

You can consult directly with Dr. Gianchandi TOMORROW, October 12th, as he outlines the opportunities in new programs including the Convergence Accelerator, Partnerships for Innovation, and Regional Innovation Engines. You’ll come away with a solid understanding of the TIP Directorate and how to access the full potential of each of its programs.

For complete details and to register, click here.  

Also coming soon:

• Determining Royalty Rates for University IP: A Webinar Workshop for Tech Transfer and IP Professionals | Thursday, October 27, 2022
• Licensing Open-Source Software: Mitigating Potential Pitfalls, Addressing Misperceptions, and Managing Impact on University IP | Wednesday, November 2, 2022
• Scaling University Start-Ups at Warp Speed: Launch a HyperAccelerator Program | Thursday, November 10, 2022

The NSF’s new Technology, Innovation and Partnerships Directorate (TIP) represents a huge opportunity for university funding specifically for partnership development and other activities aimed at commercializing technologies and increasing U.S. competitiveness.

Universities ready to act on these opportunities will be the big beneficiaries in terms of valuable research partnerships and new commercialization programs. That’s why we’ve invited Dr. Erwin Gianchandani, NSF’s Assistant Director for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships and one of the new directorate’s architects, to deliver this important webinar: NSF’s New TIP Directorate: Tap Into New Partnership and Commercialization Funding Opportunities.

You can consult directly with Dr. Gianchandi on October 12th as he outlines the opportunities in new programs including the Convergence Accelerator, Partnerships for Innovation, and Regional Innovation Engines. You’ll come away with a solid understanding of the TIP Directorate and how to access the full potential of each of its programs.

For complete details and to register, click here.  

Also coming soon:

• Determining Royalty Rates for University IP: A Webinar Workshop for Tech Transfer and IP Professionals | Thursday, October 27, 2022
• Licensing Open-Source Software: Mitigating Potential Pitfalls, Addressing Misperceptions, and Managing Impact on University IP | Wednesday, November 2, 2022

When it comes to the day-to-day function of the tech transfer office, operations staff are the “unsung” heroes. While they don’t get the headlines and kudos for patents issued, big licensing deals, and new start-ups, tech transfer professionals know that it’s their work behind the scenes that underpins every commercialization achievement.

Whether it’s docketing, royalty distribution, Bayh-Dole compliance, database management and reporting, licensee compliance, keeping up with attorney fees, or any of the hundreds of tasks often taken for granted in the complex world of university tech transfer, these critical team members are doing the dirty work, day in and day out.

That’s why we’ve created an extensive collection of resources focused specifically on many of the most challenging TTO operations challenges. The Tech Transfer Operations Video Toolkit is an instant library of 20 detailed distance learning programs addressing everything from budgeting, productivity, and data management to staffing, risk mitigation, auditing, MTA management, and more.

We also recognize that budgets are tight, yet the guidance contained in the toolkit’s programs can make a critical difference in your TTO’s efficiency and performance. With that in mind, we’ve priced this extensive collection at less than $25 per program. Even better, every session can be shared freely within your office with other staff and viewed repeatedly, making The Tech Transfer Operations Video Toolkit about the most cost-effective investment you can make.

For complete details, click here.