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FAQs

General

What is the Bayh-Dole Act and why is it important?

The Patent and Trademark Act Amendments of 1980, more commonly known as the Bayh-Dole Act, was passed in an effort to encourage the commercialization of inventions made within federally-funded research programs. It allows universities, non-profit organizations, and small businesses to elect to retain title to inventions resulting from federally-sponsored research, and also allows these institutions to exclusively (or non-exclusively) license the technologies to the marketplace for the public good. For more information, please visit: http://www.ucop.edu/ott/faculty/bayh.html

What is the mission of the Office of Technology Development OTD? What does OTD actually do?

OTD is responsible for all activities pertaining to the evaluation, patenting and licensing of new inventions and discoveries made at Harvard University.  OTD serves to further the development of Harvard technologies through the establishment license agreements, sponsored research collaborations with industry, as well as through start up companies (where appropriate).OTD’s mission is to promote the public good by fostering innovation and translating new inventions made at Harvard into useful products available to the public and beneficial to society. Companies may seek to license inventions made at Harvard in order to develop and incorporate technologies into products such as pharmaceutical drugs, medical devices, and advanced research materials. Thus, OTD acts to protect discoveries made by Harvard research while simultaneously reinforcing Harvard's mission to serve the public good through transfer of new knowledge to the marketplace.

The following statements, which Harvard has endorsed, demonstrate our commitment to our values:

Does the OTD have a financial interest in licensed technology?

Neither OTD nor the members of OTD's staff have a financial stake in University licenses. OTD's budget and the compensation of the OTD staff are not based on the amount of licensing income generated.  As a result, OTD is in a position to function as an unbiased agent serving the goals and interests of the faculty and public, and can appropriately balance the interests of the University, schools, departments and individual inventors.

What is the background of, and functions performed by the Directors of Business Development?

OTD’s Directors of Business Development are seasoned professionals possessing a broad range of experience--including business experience--and education. Not only are they well versed in the scientific fields they service, but they have often held R&D, marketing, and business development positions in industry. The Directors of Business Development are responsible for reviewing and evaluating invention disclosures, managing intellectual property, marketing and identifying appropriate corporate partners for the development of technologies for commercial application, and negotiating and overseeing license and sponsored research agreements.

How do I locate and reach a member of the OTD staff?

Visit our Contact Us page.

How do I get to your office?

Our primary office is in Harvard Square, Cambridge. We also have an office on the Harvard Medical School Campus.

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