Expert Group Report Management of Intellectual Property in ... - KoWi

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
For Public Research Organisations (PROs)
1. Without abandoning the Open Science Model, PROs should seriously consider taking a
pro-active role in the innovation process by managing IPR arising from research
results. This is an important strategic decision, which requires establishing a clear
mission, realistic objectives, appropriate resources and a dedicated professional
transfer office.
2. The main objectives should be to maximise the benefits of publicly funded research for
society. These benefits can be measured in terms of regional economic development,
new products, new companies, new services, new jobs and improved quality of life.
3. The returns for PROs are to be measured in terms of attracting more students,
retaining good scientists and enhancing access to additional research and development
funding opportunities. Securing guaranteed levels of additional funding through
licensing is not realistic and should not be a prime objective.
4. In Europe, creating and licensing IPR is not sufficient in itself to produce significant
benefits. There is a need for a much stronger interaction between PROs and Industry
and for a more active involvement in the creation of new technology companies
5. The KTO responsibilities must be exercised in a professional way and require training
and experience that includes an understanding of the needs of the researchers and of
the legal, intellectual property and commercial issues surrounding the development of
technologies. It can take many years for the necessary experience to be gained and so
PROs should encourage membership of professional KTO networking associations in
order to exchange good practices and provide training.
For Industry and PROs
6. The objectives of further developing a knowledge economy can only be achieved
through a much closer collaboration between PROs and Industry. Both parties should
consider revisiting their relationships with a view to maximising the mutual benefits
that may accrue when PROs are enabled to take a more active role in the innovation
process.
7. Industry and PRO associations should develop and implement by mutual agreement
voluntary codes of conduct and guidelines to optimise the opportunities for a range of
strategic relationships that can be entered into. Both of these key stakeholders should
recognise the mutual benefits that such interactions can yield.
1