Resolution 98/99-04
Technology Transfer "General Principles and Licensing"Technology transfer has the potential to help the university develop top academic quality by stimulating excellent research and generating revenue that can be used to support academic goals. Because the opportunities for research exceed the capacity of the government and foundations to support it, and because of a growing interest on the part of corporations in this area, the climate is favorable for increased activity by universities in technology transfer. That USC now ranks 71st nationally in regard to technology transfer, whereas it ranks eighteenth in sponsored research suggests that the university might do more systematically to help faculty in patenting and licensing the results of their research. USC's high potential for the future, however, is reflected in its already being tied for fourteenth place in the number of start-up companies formed. One of the obstacles to technology transfer at USC, however, is the complex procedure, involving a multiplicity of offices, for evaluating invention disclosures. Comparison with other institutions suggests that this process is excessively complex and cumbersome.
Therefore it is resolved that the university administration and the Academic Senate, through a joint task force, should review and recommend improvements in current policies and procedures concerning technology transfer to complement the development of an intellectual property policy now in progress; that the task force should consider the adequacy of support given to technology transfer, including staff support; that guidelines should be developed to preserve freedom of research and maintain the fairness of licensing agreements; that it should be recognized that technology transfer will and must be inextricably related to academic quality and thus requires the involvement and direction of faculty in its development; that efforts should be made to increase awareness among faculty of opportunities for technology transfer and of the relevant legal requirements; and that the licensing process at USC should be simplified, in a way that preserves the central role of faculty in working closely with licensing associates to identify licensing opportunities collaboratively. The task force should report to the Academic Senate within ninety days of its establishment.
Resolution Number: 98/99-04 Motion by:
Executive Board
Date: November 11, 1998 (No second required when
Tabled at the November 18, 1998 Meeting
moved by committee)
To be presented at meeting held: December 9, 1998
Action taken: Passed as amended, 20 in favor, no opposed, and no abstention