Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
Published byBlaise Aube Modified over 10 years ago
1
A Practical Guide to Licensing Your Technology David Conrad Director, Office of Technology Development University of Nebraska-Lincoln
2
Page 2 Personally, I liked the university. They gave us money and facilities, we didn't have to produce anything! You've never been out of college! You don't know what it's like out there! I've "worked“ in the private sector. They expect "results". - Dr. Ray Stantz, Ghostbusters Expectations and Cultures If you take away ideology, you are left with a case-by-case ethics which in practice ends up as me first, me only, and in rampant greed. - Richard Nelson, U.S. playwright
3
What is a University TLO Looking for in a Licensee? Page 3 A company that will rapidly generate royalty-bearing income or increase the value and liquidity of its equity without imposing undue financial risk or liability on the university And if that doesn’t happen…the ability to get the IP back so that they can give another licensee a shot
4
Page 4 A Step-by-Step Approach to Licensing Have Lunch with the Licensing Associate Explain your technology and your proposed business model Meet with the Licensing Associate Ask for a term sheet template and talk through the definitions Write your “Business Plan” Ask for a copy of a business plan that the TLO would deem acceptable Meet with the Director Discuss the startup process and ask what the University looks for in an "ideal" licensee Sign a Standstill Agreement Ask what the TLO will and won’t be doing during this period
5
Page 5 Have Lunch with the Licensing Associate Talk through your business plan; ask for a copy of the template license agreement Meet with Your Attorney Have your attorney review the completed license agreement you plan to submit Negotiate Remember the “What the TLO is Looking for in a Licensee” slide Meet with the Licensing Associate Talk through the license agreement and term sheet to make sure both of you are clear Meet with the Licensing Associate Present your offer and talk through the agreement while providing justifications for financial terms and milestones A Step-by-Step Approach to Licensing (cont.)
6
Page 6 Meet with Your Attorney Have your attorney review the final agreement to mitigate any risks to you or your company Create Value in Your Company Hire excellent people, develop products and services to satisfy real needs, and delight your customers Change the World Inspire, encourage and mentor others to become entrepreneurs and give back to society Sign the License Agreement Ask what the TLO will be doing to assist your company after the agreement is signed Pay Your Bills Reimburse your patent expenses & make required royalty payments A Step-by-Step Approach to Licensing (cont.)
7
Page 7 What Not to Do—The Seven Deadly Sins 1.Call the Governor, University President, Chancellor, VPR, VCR, Dean or Department Chair in an attempt to get a sweeter deal 2.Have your attorney negotiate the agreement for you 3.Quote the financial terms in license agreements from other universities to justify your position 4.Remind the TLO how much research money you bring in and threaten to move to another university 5.Dream up schemes to avoid paying royalties, milestone payments or patent expenses 6."Flip" the technology shortly after signing 7.Set up an IP holding company and pursue SBIR/STTR grants only to supplement your basic research funding with no intent to ever make any products or offer any services (the virtual company)
8
Page 8 What Really Matters The history you create during the license negotiations 1 The claims of the patent(s) (protectable and enforceable IP) 2 The uniqueness & sustainability of your business model 3 The quality of your management team & its ability to raise capital 4 The novelty, quality & breadth of your science (platform technology) 5 Your passion, perseverance & willingness to give up control 6 Your timing & luck 7 The critical ingredient is getting off your butt and doing something. It's as simple as that. A lot of people have ideas, but there are few who decide to do something about them now. Not tomorrow. Not next week. But today. The true entrepreneur is a doer, not a dreamer. - Nolan Bushnell, founder of Atari and Chuck E. Cheese's
9
Page 9 David Conrad dconrad2@unl.edu 402-570-6980 http://otd.unl.edu Questions?
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.