Development of Intellectual Property Policies at Universities and Research Centers

1. Development of Intellectual Property Policies at Universities and Research Centers Maribor, November 5 to 7, 2012 Mr. Ryszard Frelek, Division for Certain Countries in Europe and Asia, World Intellectual Property Organization

2. “There is a way to do it better…..

3. ………..- find it!” Thomas Edison (1847-1931), entrepreneur, inventor

4. Objective: Follow the advise from Mr. Edison. Propose what could be done better to stimulate successful business/academia cooperation. Overview: • Importance of IP – Business, University/Research Institutions; • IP Policy • WIPO Model IP Policy

5. Importance of Intellectual Property…..

6. …………………………?

7. Business • Knowledge based economy; The ideas - innovation and creativity drives success; new groundbreaking or improving products and services are key; marketing and brand recognition drives higher sales; attractive design is equally important. • How these key assets are managed, protected and exploited is governed by the IP system. • The IP system is essential in modern business (not only for technology intense industries). • Clarity of this system, what does the business have to do, what can it do and how it can do, is one of the essential components for the system to be well functioning.

8. University and Research Institutions • University and research institutions are one of the main knowledge generators. They drive the advance in science. • Research, inventions, academic publications…all this is covered by the IP system. • They are one of the main providers of the “goods” protected and governed by this system. • The IP system guarantees that the research/inventions done are attributed to the institution, hence further improving its renown. • The IP system is also often one of the income providers to these institutions…hence allowing more/further research and knowledge generation.

9. Business/Academia • Many similarities, one of the main being that IP protected goods are the key component for the success of both. • Essential difference: objectives • For business: income • For academia: knowledge generation. • Both these objectives can and do support each other. • The most obvious way is: business income can finance university knowledge generation; university knowledge generation can guarantee business income. • How this happens and “how to do it better” my fellow speakers will give you many examples today.....

10. Intellectual Property Policies…….

11. ……as a prerequisite for successful business and academia collaboration.

12. University/Research Institution IP Policy It is a formally adopted document, which: • relates to the ownership, protection and commercial exploitation of Intellectual Property created by Researchers in the course of their duties or activities at the Institute; • the document sets out the rules of the Institute for cooperation with industrial and business organizations and provides guidelines on the sharing of the economic benefits arising from the commercialization of Intellectual Property.

13. Objective of an IP Policy (benefits for University/Research Institution) • Provide certainty in research activities and technology-based relationships with third parties; • Set out the Institute procedures surrounding the identification, ownership, protection and commercialization of Intellectual Property; • Promote scientific investigation and research; • Facilitate the maintenance of records on IP; • Ensure the timely and efficient protection and management of IP; • Ensure that economic benefits arising from the commercialization of IP are distributed in a fair and equitable manner that recognizes the contributions of the Inventors and the Institution as well those of as any other stakeholders; • Enhance the reputation of the Institute as an academic research institution and a member of society as well as the reputation of the Researchers through bringing the research results to public use and benefit.

14. Benefits for University/Research Institution = way for attracting business

15. Objective of an IP Policy (way for attracting business) • Provide certainty in research activities and technology-based relationships with third parties = business seeks certainty when it wants to invest; • Set out the Institute procedures surrounding the identification, ownership, protection and commercialization of Intellectual Property = business seeks certainty when it wants to invest; • Promote scientific investigation and research = shows business where knowledge is generated and that the Institute/University promotes innovative and creative attitude. • Facilitate the maintenance of records on IP = shows business where knowledge is generated ;

16. Objective of an IP Policy (way for attracting business) • Ensure the timely and efficient protection and management of IP = guarantees for the business that the inventions/research are protected and can be exploited; • Ensure that economic benefits arising from the commercialization of IP are distributed in a fair and equitable manner that recognizes the contributions of the Inventors and the Institution as well those of as any other stakeholders = guarantees for the business that no complicated disputes would hamper the process of commercialization; • Enhance the reputation of the Institute as an academic research institution and a member of society as well as the reputation of the Researchers through bringing the research results to public use and benefit = Renown

17. Attracting business = way for generating income = way for generating further knowledge

18. WIPO Model IP Policy….

19. Background • Requested by certain countries during the Inter-regional Consultation on Management of Academic Intellectual Property (IP) and Early Stage Innovation in Countries in Transition, Budapest, October 27 and 28, 2010 • It is expected that the results of the Model Policy will promote and stimulate universities to elaborate their own IP policies.

20. WIPO Model IP Policy • The document might serve both as a template and as a set of guidelines on which the universities can base their own IP policies.  

21. Addressed issues • Scope of the policy; • Legal issues relating to the status of researchers; • External sponsorship, research collaboration with third parties; • Ownership of IP; • Disclosure, protection and exploitation of IP; • Revenue sharing; • Conflict of interest and confidentiality issues.

22. Summary • Business and Academia have a lot in common. • Business and Academia can support their own objectives; • IP is key for both. • An IP Policy is a “a better way” for attracting the private sector to academia and for a good start of cooperation. • WIPO provides the necessary assistance in developing IP Policies.

23. To find more better ways to stimulate innovation and creativity…… www.wipo.int www.wipo.int/DCEA Ryszard.Frelek@wipo.int

24. “Capital isn't so important in business. Experience isn't so important. You can get both these things. What is important is ideas. If you have ideas, you have the main asset you need, and there isn't any limit to what you can do with your business and your life." Harvey Firestone (1868-1938), entrepreneur, founder of Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, friend of Thomas Edison

25. Who can provide new good ideas? Where can business find ways to do something better?

26. Thank you for your attention