On May 28th, a virtual seminar on licensing research results and intellectual property was held as part of the NOBALIS project. The seminar was conducted by Magnus Frydenlund, business development manager at Ard Innovation, the technology transfer unit of the Norwegian University of Life Sciences. The seminar provided an in-depth look at the role of licensing in the commercialization of academic research and innovations. Licensing is crucial for turning academic discoveries into marketable products and services.
Licensing grants another entity the right to commercially exploit a university-owned invention without transferring ownership. These licenses can be exclusive or non-exclusive and may be global or restricted to specific regions. Licensing allows universities to leverage their innovations without giving up control over the original intellectual property.
The seminar emphasized the necessity of licensing over merely publishing inventions. Published inventions cannot be patented, making it difficult to attract investment due to a lack of exclusive rights. Licensing provides the necessary protection and investment to bring innovations to market and benefit society.
Different types of licensing agreements such as single license agreements, framework agreements, and express licenses were discussed in detail, as well as the financial side of royalties and how to collect those. Ard Innovation provided an example of a typical template for a licensing agreement and provided advice to NOBALIS partners on real-life cases.
Licensing is fundamental to intellectual property management, enabling universities to secure investment and bring their innovations to market. The seminar highlighted the strategic importance of licensing agreements, helping participants navigate the complex IP landscape and maximize the potential of their innovations.