NRC Annual Report 2001-2002

Intellectual propertyThe importance of new knowledge, managed effectivelyby organizations as intellectual property (IP),has grown dramatically in the past decade. Originaldiscoveries, know-how, software and new technologies– protected by patent or copyright – are thefoundations for new products, process innovationsand commercialization in the world’s marketplaces.To ensure its new discoveries make the mostimpact in terms of value creation for Canada, NRCchooses the best route to develop and exploit itsknowledge resources. Over the past several years,NRC has developed a collection of proven IPmanagement tools and practices that guide theevaluation, protection, exploitation and transfer oftechnologies to receptor firms. As a result, annualNRC patent applications have grown more than50 percent over the past five years, and licensingof these discoveries has continued apace.NRC patents and licenses0 50 100 1501997-19981998-19991999-20002000-20012001-2002Number of patent applicationsNumber of patents issuedNumber of licenses issued200Collaborations and partnershipsV a l u eOne of the best ways to transfer knowledge isthrough collaborative research. NRC teams up withindustrial and university partners to create newtechnologies and improve existing products andservices.NRC partnerships andagreements1997-19981998-19991999-20002000-20012001-20020 200 400 600 800 1,000 1,200 1,400Canadian organizations and partnersInternational organizations and partnersTotal organizations and partnersUnder such agreements, both sides share fundingand management of medium-to-long-termresearch. Partners are engaged early to ensure thatprojects align with their needs, the needs of themarketplace and NRC needs. Partners work side-bysidewith NRC researchers, increasing the technicalexpertise of the firm, ensuring that NRC is pluggedinto marketplace realities, and improving the oddsfor commercial success. Collaborations range fromprojects with single companies to multi-partnerarrangements with small and larger firms, as wellas university partners and all three levels ofgovernment.Over the past five years, NRC partnerships withindustry have doubled, those with public organizationshave nearly tripled, and those with universitieshave grown five-fold. The value of agreementsand collaborations reached some $401 million in2001-2002.With its long-standing track record for excellence inR&D and new technology creation, opportunities tocollaborate with NRC are of great interest to industrialand other partners. The investments made byNRC are heavily leveraged on behalf of taxpayers.In fiscal year 2001-2002, partner contributions totalled2.48 dollars for each dollar invested by NRC.23S C I E N C E A T W O R K F O R C A N A D A