Guiding a technology after license
After a technology is licensed, whether to an existing company or a startup, inventors may stay involved in a number of ways. The university has also established policies to help guide inventors avoid conflicts of interests.
Involvement with an existing company
- Faculty consulting
Faculty are permitted to engage in specified private business activities relating to their university positions, provided that they continue to be responsible for the performance of their university teaching, research and service obligations.
Learn more in the Faculty Paid External Consulting Policy- Sponsored research
Alternatively, a licensee may contract with the university for the services of the inventor and the use of university facilities through a sponsored research agreement. Research projects funded by technology commercialization companies must include, in addition to a negotiated fee, university publication rights.
Involvement with a startup
- Faculty equity ownership in a startup
If the university employee is approved to hold equity in the new company, the inventor’s equity ownership is determined by an agreement between the inventor and the new startup. University employees who wish to negotiate an equity position with the new company should seek independent legal representation.
Navigating conflicts
In an effort to avoid conflicts, Ohio State has several policies governing the terms and conditions of faculty employment, academic affairs and research activities.
- Intellectual Property Policy
- Faculty Paid External Consulting Policy
- Conflict of Interest and Work Outside the University
- Rights to and interests in intellectual property, patents, and copyrights (3335-13-06)
- Rules governing faculty, staff, and student participation in companies commercializing university research (3335-13-07)
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