Beyond Discovery by Jean E. Schelhorn and Joan M. Herbers

Author:Jean E. Schelhorn and Joan M. Herbers
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Published: 2021-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Best Practice 6: Keep Your Research Moving Forward and Keep Inventing

Just because you reported an invention, you have no guarantee of finding a licensee. Indeed, having ongoing funding in place (especially federal funding) is an advantage because it signals to potential licensees that the technology continues to be advanced. Also please recognize that your first invention may not be your best and that subsequent inventions may be far more compelling! With submission of a first invention report, you as the inventor are introduced to the various commercialization resources used within your institution and in your ecosystem. In time you will also come to think about inventions in new ways—whether it is a “me too,” its relevance to a large or small market, and what the relevant patent prior art reveals. You learn mistakes to avoid in public disclosures, and you start to think about what sorts of similar inventions could have larger plays in the marketplace. You also learn that this work requires personal commitment: rarely can you throw something over the wall to someone else, and magically a licensee will emerge.31 Many academic inventors have told us that the first invention taught them the realities of reports of invention and the early required evaluation criteria. Be open to the lessons that start from your first invention report. Even if your first technology goes nowhere, your second or third may have a much better chance.

With a second invention, the academic researcher typically not only has a better understanding but also has undertaken many of the best practices above. Most important, they are ready and excited to put in the personal effort that enhances their chances of success. Serial inventors view the commercialization staff as partners rather than as service providers, and they understand they have much to gain from working together. Finally, they deeply understand and accept their role as the most important resource for landing a potential licensee who might be at the table.

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