Introduction

Researchers involved in product development are expected to implement innovative ideas to make commercially viable products. The technology transfer process is fundamental to developing new products through a partnership between universities and commercial organizations and launching the finished product into the market. One aspect of this process is the concept of intellectual property – the right of ownership to innovative ideas that drive product development. Ideas, being intangible, are distinct from products and these can be patented to control their commercial usage.

This manual is a primer on intellectual property regulation and technology transfer between university and industrial organizations. This book is a concise reference manual for students, researchers, professors and anyone who is creating or developing products and learning the basics of the technology transfer process. The book also serves as a resource for technicians who want to learn more about how ideas are commercialized and protected in markets.