Pitfalls in University Tech Transfer
This article from Larta stresses the need to avoid some of the common pitfalls associated with licensing University-developed technology. The potential problems include:
"industry's concerns about faculty cooperation for further R&D, difficulties dealing with universities and their academic cultures, universities' preference not to work with small firms that may lack financial and legal security, the complexity of licensing deals, and high licensing fees...Invention ownership presents another issue for scrutiny when planning to invest in an invention associated with university research. Invention ownership should be properly documented and handled by all parties involved, namely the inventors, the OTL and the prospective licensee. The licensee may accompany the inventor to the OTL in order to get clear and correct legal information regarding ownership of the invention..."
