Invention to Innovation
Our office is structured to explore all avenues of commercialization that result in the adoption of viable products by businesses and consumers alike. Through individualized campaigns, we contact potential licensees. These may include, but are not limited to, large corporations, small-to-mid-sized businesses, or startup companies. We actively search for entities that have the interest and capabilities to further improve your technology in order to meet market requirements and standards. Potential licensees have the infrastructure to provide rigorous testing, reduce risk, and scale results for practical applications.
Overview: Technology Transfer Process
The first formal step in the process occurs when an inventor or creator submits an Invention Disclosure Form. The disclosure briefly describes the new invention, what it does, the problem it is designed to solve, and its competitive advantages and benefits. You can access the invention disclosure form from our website using your USC network name and password.
Once an Invention Disclosure Form has been submitted, we will begin investigating the invention. We will examine prior art, commercial potential, and sources of funding within USC and from prospective licensees to further develop the technology. If a patent application is determined to be viable, a patent attorney will submit a provisional patent application with the inventor's assistance.
We market commercially-feasible discoveries by making company presentations, drafting non-confidential summaries for distribution, and using other proven marketing tools to identify and attract licensees, partners, and other collaborators for commercialization or additional funding and support.
Our team of lawyers, licensing experts, and consultants will negotiate licenses that ensure a solid return on your technology and that your inventor rights are protected.
USC has a generous revenue-sharing model that returns 40% of net revenue from technology licenses directly to the inventor(s) with additional portions going to the inventor’s college and department.
Other Paths
It is important to note that not every invention will be suited for commercialization. For those that fall into this category, our office will provide feedback on strengths and weaknesses and offer recommendations for further research and development. When opportunities become available, we will connect you with resources that may provide additional funding.