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 Syracuse University’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 will research businesses that might want to 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.

Under the Bayh-Dole Act, there is also a compliance component for the University that is facilitated by the Office of Technology Transfer for inventions conceived or reduced to practice in the course of government funded research.

The Office’s 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. The Office negotiates contracts (license agreements and others); and can be involved in the work around start-up companies.

The Office is located at 301 Dineen Hall on the Syracuse University campus.