The decision making process for the exploitation of university patents through licensing to established companies and spin-off formations

Ismail, Kamariah and Abdul Majid, Izaidin and Mason, Collin and Cooper, Sarah and Wan Omar, Wan Zaidi (2008) The decision making process for the exploitation of university patents through licensing to established companies and spin-off formations. In: 2008 IIBD & LEWI International Conference on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 12-13 Nov 2008, Hong Kong.

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Abstract

Introduction: The commercialisation of university patents via licensing to established companies or spin-off formations are the common methods adopted by universities to exploit their patents. This paper looks very closely into who were involved and how the decision-making were made by one university to patent and through which route to exploit its portfolio of patents. Methodology: This paper is based on a case study of a university in Scotland. Two types of exploited patents were selected; patents that were exploited through spin-offs and patents that were exploited through licensing to established companies. A total of 12 patents were selected and in depth interviews were conducted with the inventors and the TTO director of the University. Findings: The findings showed that the actors involved in the decision to patent were: inventors, industry and the Technology Transfer Office (TTO), or between two of the above parties. However, the decisions to commercialise via spin-off formations were influenced by factors such as how they recognised the opportunities of their technologies such as through industrial working experiences, and the motivation factors to see their inventions being exploited. On the other hand, for patents those were licensed to established companies, the decisions to exploit through licensing to established companies either came from the decision of the three actors individually or joint decisions between them. The significant difference is that for the patents that were exploited via licensing to established companies, the inventors did not have the motivation to be an entrepreneur, and were not wiling to take risks in a new business venture. The findings show that, the TTO did not have special due diligence system in helping inventors to identify the opportunity. Lack of skills and capabilities and marketing efforts of the TTO in all sectors resulted the decision making to form spin-offs were based on the inventors motivation and industrial experience. Implications: Studying and understanding the decision making process in commercialisation of university patents through spin-off formations and through licensing to established companies will enhance the roles of university TTOs. The TTO would then be able to help inventors whose technologies have potential i.e more effective manner.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Divisions:	Faculty of Technology Management and Technopreneurship > Department of Technopreneurship
Depositing User:	Prof Madya Dr. Izaidin Abdul Majid
Date Deposited:	11 Mar 2014 09:05
Last Modified:	29 May 2023 16:27
URI:	http://eprints.utem.edu.my/id/eprint/11599
Statistic Details:	View Download Statistic

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