Dallas principal Alfonso Chan was extensively quoted discussing how technology transfer offices (TTO) should address lackluster licensee performance. He said, “If the licensee is affiliated with the university and primarily staffed by professors and students, more patience may be needed to incubate and allow the company to grow to viability. Financial requirements should rarely be reduced, but timelines can be adjusted. If, however, the licensee is a more sophisticated commercial or industrial company, then the requirements and milestones should be more strictly policed with notices of breach, warnings, and audits. For a sophisticated licensee, the IP should be clawed back if an audit reveals fraudulent underpayments or underreporting of progress.” Read Alfonso’s full comments here.
