Office of Technology Commercialization
Background: The Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC) facilitates the transfer of the cutting-edge technologies developed at the University of Maryland and smaller universities in the University System of Maryland to business and industry. This is accomplished by developing and managing a high quality portfolio of diverse technologies; ensuring intellectual property rights through patents or copyrights; and by negotiating and executing licensing agreements in order to provide benefits to the university and the economy, and to improve the overall quality of life.
In its 16-year history, OTC has assisted in the creation of more than 25 high-tech start-up companies, which were formed based on technologies developed at the University of Maryland. More than 20 of the start-up companies are located within the state of Maryland. Also in that time, OTC recorded 1115 information, life and physical science invention disclosures; secured more than 180 U.S. patents; and executed 600 license agreement, which has generated more than $20.8 million in technology transfer income.
Project Scope: The selected candidate will look over invention disclosures, and interact with faculty to get additional information from inventors and work on determining market feasibility for these invention disclosures. The market feasibility studies will provide inputs to the Project Manager to determine potential licensees for the technology and to decide on potential investment in patent protection.
Desired Student Profile: Students with an interest in technology commercialization and a good understanding of telecommunications. Any experience in law, technology licensing or marketing is desirable but not necessary.
Student Comment:
“The Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC) serves as the technology transfer office for the University of Maryland . Research is carried out among several disciplines across campus by the faculty and their team of graduate students who upon developing any new invention are encouraged to send their invention disclosures to the OTC. The OTC then evaluates the technology feasibility on a number of criteria. Based on this, OTC files for a patent application and engages in licensing deals with prospective companies to provide benefits to the inventor, University, and economy in general.
Given the limited expertise of OTC staff in this relatively new area of telecommunications, my Master's in Telecommunications partner and myself indulge in understanding invention disclosures in this domain, and identify companies that we think might be interested in buying the invention at hand. Occasionally we meet with faculty and their research teams to better understand the technology. Based on this, we prepare an executive summary which is a small draft that identifies the invention and the problem that the invention is solving. The summary is then sent to prospective companies.
ENTS 699 requires a one-year commitment for 6 credits, but the time is justified given the time companies take to respond to any correspondence. Getting to know cutting-edge technology especially in its early stage of development is an enviable advantage to have in this dynamic field. Speaking to faculty and their students gives you a peek at their line of thinking and their problem solving approach which is a huge plus. Contacting prospective companies adds to your repertoire of contacts with is invaluable when it comes to this like job search which all of us indulge at some point or another. Also as a part of the OTC team, you get to attend various seminars and tech-conferences, which you wouldn't otherwise. In all, OTC makes for a very rewarding learning experience.” - ENTS Student
Application Process
To apply for the projects with Office of Technology Commercialization, ENTS students must complete and submit an application to the ENTS Program Office by August 22, 2003.
