Research and development work, whether funded by the federal government, foundations or industry, is the basis for discovering and developing novel technologies and software.

When you believe you have discovered a novel technology or developed a useful new computer software, please submit a description of the technology to the Office of Research Commercialization using the New Technology Disclosure form. For additional information about disclosure, please visit our Disclosure page.

IMPORTANT NOTE

• Submission to the Office of Research Commercialization should occur no less than one month prior to any public disclosure.
• Submission to the Office of Research Commercialization does NOT confer protection of the technology.

When your disclosure to the Office of Research Commercialization is complete, we will make an initial assessment to determine your protection needs and commercialization opportunities. We will work with you during this process.

Time: In most cases, up to 60 days to complete.

Assessment Factors:

• Ownership
• Types of protection
• Market-related factors

Depending on the results of the review process, the Office of Research Commercialization will determine whether to:

• File for a patent, copyright or trademark
• Hold the work pending additional development
• Control distribution of the material or reagent in the absence of formal protection
• Close the file

Time: Depending on the type of protection, up to several years (and may cost tens of thousands of dollars)

We achieve greater success in marketing and promoting technologies within the university's intellectual property portfolio by working together. Many times our most successful leads come from the inventor's industry contacts who serve as internal champions within their own companies and organizations.

Time: 1 month to several years

In cases where multiple companies are interested in the technology, the Office of Research Commercialization will identify the most appropriate licensing partner(s). We consider a potential partner's overall ability to:

• Commercialize the technology
• Obtain or provide funding to support development of the technology
• Benefit the local economy

Other factors include prior and ongoing relationships with the potential partner(s), your willingness and ability to work with the potential partner(s), and the ability of the partner(s) to accept license terms required by Texas Tech University.

Though it is always the Office of Research Commercialization 's preference to work with established companies, there are cases where creation of a new business start-up may be the best or only option for near-term commercialization activities. In such cases, the Office of Research Commercialization may assist in planning and creating the start-up.

Commercialization is the process of introducing a new product or production method into commerce—making it available on the market. The term includes a move from the laboratory into (even limited) commerce. The product launch of a new product is the final stage of new product development - at this point advertising, sales promotion, and other marketing efforts encourage commercial adoption of the product or method.

Revenues generated from the licensing and commercialization of Texas Tech University technologies are paid back to the inventor(s) and university according to the Royalty Distribution Policy. This income further fuels research and development programs at Texas Tech University and may lead to future technologies and software.