Frequently Asked Questions for Industry
This section answers some of the basic questions about technology transfer, patent licensing, and privacy issues. Feel free to contact the MSU Technologies office for more information.
The MSU Technologies Office
- Why is it important for MSU to transfer its technology?
The University is very interested in putting MSU-developed technology and expertise to work to help U.S. industry, increase U.S. competitiveness, create jobs, and benefit both our nation and local/regional community.
- Will MSU assist an organization in solving its technical problems or improving its products?
If MSU has technology available that would be useful, the MSUT would be pleased to discuss its possible applications.
Available Technologies
- How do I find out what technologies MSU has available?
This Web site has an entire section devoted to MSU technologies.
- Whom do I contact to receive further information on a particular MSU technology?
Specific contact information is provided for each technology. Or you can contact our office.
Patent Licenses
- Will MSU grant exclusivity for a particular technology?
An organization may apply for an exclusive, an exclusive field-of-use, or a nonexclusive license. Exclusive rights to a technology can be licensed depending on how many parties are interested in the technology and depending on the license application. Other factors taken into account are the technology transfer plan and the organization’s demonstrated wherewithal to carry it out. (For more information, see License Agreement Steps.)
- What happens if another organization is interested in the same technology that I want to license?
As stated earlier, there are a number of possible license agreements: nonexclusive, exclusive, co-exclusive, exclusive in a particular field of use or in a geographic region, and various combinations of these. MSUT requires interested parties to submit a technology transfer plan for the particular technology. MSUT uses this plan to determine which licensing arrangement will be best for everyone involved.
- How long does the patent licensing process take? How much will it cost me in upfront money?
The process generally takes about 3 to 4 months after receipt of the Patent License Request and Development/Marketing Plan for a nonexclusive license. Exclusive licenses take longer and are highly dependent on the complexity of the application. Upfront fees generally are set according to the value of the technology and are negotiable.
- What percentage in royalties does MSU require under a license agreement?
The percentage in royalties to be paid to MSU under a license agreement is negotiable depending on a number of factors, including the type of license issued (i.e., exclusive or nonexclusive).
Privacy Issues
- Are discussions with MSU personnel kept confidential?
MSU Technologies will keep all proprietary information confidential if identified as such and typically execute a confidentiality disclosure agreement at the early stage of discussions. In addition, our other agreements including Material Transfer, Option to License, and License Agreements all contain confidentiality clauses within them.