How many research universities have technology transfer offices and what do they do?
It is not known exactly how many universities are engaged in technology transfer activities. One indicator is that over 230 U.S. universities and nonprofit research institutions are represented in the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM). Among those universities that are active, one can observe a variety of structures and sizes. More significant than the structure of those offices, however, is their mission. The mission of university technology transfer/licensing offices is to transfer research results to commercial application for public use and benefit. The office seeks and receives reports of inventions from investigators; reports the inventions to sponsors; decides whether to elect title for inventions developed with external funding; files patent applications; markets those patents to industry, negotiates and administers license agreements. The technology transfer office is also responsible for oversight of patent prosecution, recording of income and disbursements
