Mission Statement
The Office of Technology Management (OTM) works to assess, protect, and manage the intellectual property (IP) developed by MSU faculty, staff, and students. The IP can stem from new ideas, inventions, software, know-how, and other creative works generated by research and other scholarly activity. OTM serves the university and its stakeholders by facilitating the transition of MSU-owned IP to the marketplace.
The Commercialization Process starts with the disclosure of new ideas, inventions, software and creative works resulting from research and other scholarly activities. Once the office receives a fully signed disclosure, we initiate the following key steps:
Office Functions
- Evaluate disclosures using the Opportunity Assessment
- Recommend an appropriate strategy for protecting the technology.
- Identify potential licensees and market the invention
- Negotiate license agreements
- Manage patent prosecution and maintenance
- Monitor licenses for compliance with due diligence provisions, etc.
The office supports Office of Sponsored Projects by reviewing IP terms of research grants, MTAs, IIAs, NDAs, etc. We also comply with the reporting and commercialization requirements which enables the university to take title to inventions developed with Federal support.