As an integral part of its larger mission of teaching, research and the dissemination of knowledge, Syracuse University generates extensive intellectual property with significant commercial value.

     

    By licensing this intellectual property to commercial partners who in turn provide these as benefits to the public, we support the University Academic Plan, directly benefiting University programs,faculty, staff and students while creating broader economic development in our community, country and even worldwide.

     

    In keeping with this mission, the Office of Technology Transfer and Industrial Development, a division of the Office of Research of Syracuse University, facilitates the transfer of University technologies to the commercial marketplace.

     

What is Technology Transfer at Syracuse University?

In the course of their work, Syracuse University’s faculty, researchers, students and staff may develop new technology or make new discoveries. The science, technology, methodology, product, etc. that the employee or student discovers may be intellectual property. When this is true, patents, copyrights or trademarks can be used to protect the inventor/discoverer's findings and SU’s interest in them. The next step after protecting such intellectual property may be to explore applications of the technology to the world at large. Is it worth producing? Selling? On its own? Might it improve existing products or practices? If so, then the Office of Technology Transfer and Industrial Development will research businesses that might want to purchase (buy outright, with ownership) or license (the legal right to use it, but without ownership) the technology and make the pitch to the businesses.

 

If successful, our office negotiates with the company interested in licensing the intellectual property. If no company exists, we might work with the inventor to start their own business, aiding in their development of relevant articles- business plans and the like.

 

Under the Bayh Dole Act, the University there is also a compliance component for the University that is facilitated by the Office of Technology Transfer and Industrial Development for inventions and patents receiving Federal funding.

 

Our daily work consists of interacting with inventors; conducting patent searches; guiding the patenting process with outside counsel; managing patent prosecution with outside counsel; understanding market need for technologies and evaluating the technology’s potential for commercialization and more. We negotiate contracts (license agreements and others); and can be involved in the work around start-up companies. We also assist licensee companies with commercialization grant applications.

 

Our office is located in 2-220 in the Center for Science and Technology (CST) on the SU campus, adjacent to the newly constructed Life Sciences Complex, on the eastern most edge of campus. We recommend new visitors use the Comstock Street entrance to the CST Building to access our office.