Why does SDSMT get involved in patenting and licensing?
As a public institution, SDSMT has an obligation/responsibility to make its research results available for the benefit of the general public. Entering into commercial arrangements for the further development of technology is often the only way by which the School is able to ensure that the technology is made available. The School’s technology is usually at an early stage and will require a substantial investment in its further development before a product is ready for market. No company would, under normal circumstances, commit to the support of that further development unless the intellectual property is protected and without an agreement in place to ensure that it will receive commercial benefit from its investment should the further development be successful. SDSMT also has obligations to the U.S. government under the Bayh-Dole act relating to the protection and commercialization of inventions conceived and developed with federal government support.
