Information for Industry

Sample License Agreement (PDF) | Sample Confidential Disclosure Agreement (PDF) | Confidentiality | Publications | Identification of Inventions &

Protection of Rights | Licensing

The Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC) is responsible for the transfer and commercialization of technologies developed at the University of Maryland. To accomplish this, OTC encourages participation of the business, government and industry sectors throughout the technology transfer process. This helps convert the university's research into viable products and processes that benefit the local, state and national economies and contribute to the improvement of the overall quality of life.

Involvement with the research and technology transfer and commercialization activities at the University of Maryland will provide the business, government and industry sectors access to the cutting-edge research that is taking place at the university. It also provides these sectors access to highly qualified, skilled and educated employees.

To become involved with OTC's technology transfer and commercialization activities, access the online catalog of technologies available for licensing or contact the technology manager in your area of interest. The business, government and industry sectors can also become involved with the university's research through sponsored research projects. If you would like further information about sponsoring research projects at Maryland, contact OTC at (301-405-3947) or the university's Office of Research Administration and Advancement (301-405-6269). ORAA is the pre- and post-award administration office for the University of Maryland.

The University of Maryland, College Park, created the Office of Technology Commercialization in December 1986 to provide expert guidance, support and assistance to the campus in safeguarding intellectual property, encouraging research, facilitating technological transfer and promoting collaborative R&D agreements with industrial sponsors.

To increase the chances that innovations that are worthwhile will be actively pursued and developed for the public benefit is the reason the transfer of technology between the university and industry is an increasingly important contribution the university can make to state and national economic development. Business benefits from access to fundamental research, technological assistance and operational improvements, as well as education and training when partnerships are formed with a university.

It is the university's objective to use research and development agreements as tools to pursue work that is consistent with the underlying purposes of a public research institution. In other words, agreements are appropriate for research that fits with our educational programs, provides faculty with opportunities to develop and publish new findings, and is of benefit to the public's quality of life.

In some cases, opportunities arise where funds must be secured for technology development contracts. When an invention is past the basic research stage but is not yet developed to a point where it is ready for transfer to business or industry, a company can fund further development of the technology. Under a collaborative agreement with a company, technology development funding may allow for the investigation of novel technologies expected to result in patentable inventions. In most cases, these industrial development agreements accompany an option to license a specific innovation.

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Confidentiality

While evaluating unpublished inventions, it is desirable to review disclosures with potential sponsors and licensees. A standard confidentiality agreement is signed to foster the opportunity for the commercial party to review the potential of a disclosed innovation without compromise to intellectual property protection.

Any confidential information from a sponsor or licensee must be provided in writing by the sponsor and identified clearly as confidential. Confidentiality of information required for the conduct of research will be maintained so long as the information does not otherwise enter the public domain. Because of the nature of the university research environment, that being one of openness and breadth, the university seeks to keep the requirement for use of proprietary information to a minimum.

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Publications

The industrial sponsor or licensee must recognize that under university policy, the results of university research projects must be publishable and that researchers must be permitted, within a reasonable time frame, to present results at symposia or professional meetings, as well as publish in journals, theses or dissertations. In such cases, the sponsor will have been furnished copies of any proposed publication or presentation at least thirty days prior to submission or presentation. The sponsor will have thirty days to respond on the basis that there is patentable subject matter that requires protection. In the event of such an objection, the university shall refrain from publishing or presenting material until a patent application can be filed, but never more than ninety days from the receipt of objection. University of Maryland Policy on Classified and Proprietary Work.

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Identification of Inventions & Protection of Rights

An important benefit to companies who seek partnerships for the development or licensing of University of Maryland, College Park, innovations is that the university has centralized all operations related to the management, promotion and protection of technologies within OTC. Thus, the industrial sponsor or licensee is guaranteed ease and speed in negotiating agreements with the university. Acting as a liaison between University of Maryland researchers and corporations, OTC supplies inventors with a brief form for the disclosure of an invention. The office then provides services and liaison to industries that may be interested in licensing university inventions and exploring commercial development. To protect the right of the university to later file a patent application, disclosure to third parties is made only after the third party has signed a standard confidentiality agreement. In some cases, commercial organizations may be asked to assist in underwriting patent expenses in return for the right to obtain a license.

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