Title: Management of intellectual property rights in Australian Cooperative Research Centres

Authors: Shantha Liyanage, Helen Mitchell

Addresses: Centre for Research Policy, University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong, NSW 2522, New South Wales, Australia. ' Centre for Research Policy, University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong, NSW 2522, New South Wales, Australia

Abstract: The ownership and exploitation rights to intellectual property are major factors that determine the viability of cooperative research relationships. Australian cooperative research centres primarily deal with pre-competitive research and are involved in the commercialisation of research results. The issue of intellectual property rights has emerged as a major area of concern for all partners involved in collaborative research. Differing views of how intellectual property should be treated and how such decisions effect commercial development in centre activities are discussed in this paper. It is argued that an over emphasis on intellectual property can act as an impediment in the commercialisation of collaborative research. Established practices amongst partners for the management of intellectual property are important and should not be disregarded in favour of new legal arrangements. This paper examines different approaches proposed for managing intellectual property in Australian Cooperative Research Centres.

Keywords: intellectual property rights; IPR; cooperative research centres; university-industry collaboration; industrial collaboration; Australia; research commercialisation; collaborative research.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.1995.025631

International Journal of Technology Management, 1995 Vol.10 No.2/3, pp.343 - 364

Published online: 23 May 2009 *

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