The Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) manages the intellectual property, including inventions and works, resulting in Florida Atlantic University’s research that has commercial potential. The technology transfer staff works with FAU faculty, staff and students to facilitate the transfer of FAU innovation and technologies to the commercial sector for public benefit.

OVERVIEW:

FAU recognizes that marketable forms of intellectual property may result from the activities of FAU students and faculty. FAU has an obligation to serve the public interest by ensuring that marketable forms of FAU intellectual property are developed and made available to the public. The FAU Intellectual Property Policy, effective August 16, 2001 and revised January 23, 2004, provides the framework for assigning ownership rights, and providing and establishing the technology transfer process to transform new discoveries into products for the public benefit.

“Intellectual Property” means all Works and Inventions. A “Work” includes but is not limited to any copyrightable material such as printed material and computer software. An “Invention” includes but is not limited to a process, composition of matter, know-how, design, and technological development.

It is the responsibility of the OTT to manage the technology transfer process. This complex, labor-intensive process includes overseeing all patent, trademark, and copyright matters relating to the identification, protection, and commercialization of FAU-owned Works and Inventions. OTT represents FAU in the implementation of the FAU Intellectual Property Policy with regard to governmental entities, industry and the public. 

OTT works to transfer all FAU technologies available for licensing to industry (Physical Sciences & Engineering and Life Sciences) and start-up companies through the Florida Atlantic University Research Corporation (FAURC). A successful technology transfer results in income to FAURC which is distributed to the Creator as personal income, to the Creator’s lab, Department and College according to the FAU Intellectual Property Policy.

The OTT assists faculty and students in evaluating the commercial value of their discoveries, and protecting those new ideas before they are published or presented to the public.