Information for Industry

What are the benefits of participating in the tech transfer process as a Company?
The main benefit of the tech transfer process is access to Rutgers faculty with specialized research expertise and new technologies not presently found in your company. OTC can also provide the technologies to start new companies; we have participated in close to thirty startups in the last five years. Finally, your company can obtain access to highly trained and skilled employees educated by Rutgers who are familiar with the technologies you are interested in.

Our Company is looking for technologies in a particular area, what should we do?
Check the Issued Patents section of our website as well as the technologies on line in the Technology Search section of this webpage. You can also check out the Rutgers Research Highlights in the Research section. If you don't see anything there, contact the licensing manager in your area of interest.

Who owns the patents made at Rutgers?
Under US law, only the original inventor of the claimed subject matter, and their assignees, can apply for a patent. Rutgers inventors under the Rutgers Patent Policy are required to assign the rights to any patents made using Rutgers resources to the University. In exchange, the OTC manages and licenses the patent on behalf of the Rutgers inventor.

What if my company wants to sponsor research on campus?
Rutgers has a lot of experience in this area, with more than $22 million dollars in corporate research funded in fiscal 2008. We look forward to assisting you with your particular needs. Typically you will need to find a Rutgers researcher you want to work with, and define the parameters of the research project with them. You will then need to produce a scope of work statement and a budget to be submitted by the Rutgers researcher to our office to get the process started. If you would like to discuss details of this process or obtain a draft research agreement contact Industrial Agreements at OTC.

What if my company wants to do research using Rutgers facilities?
While Rutgers allows visiting scientists on campus, there must be an important scientific reason to do this. Your company will typically have to have an executed Visiting Scientist Agreement before starting any work on campus. Contact Industrial Agreements at OTC for details.

Our company needs to exchange confidential information with a Rutgers  researcher, what should we do?
In general, universities are poor places to keep information confidential, as one of the main duties of researchers is to publish. To the extent possible, your company should file for a patent before disclosing things to Rutgers. Under limited circumstances information can also be protected by confidentiality agreements if these are executed before the information is exchanged. See the Documents, Forms & Policies section of our website for more information.

What are Rutgers typical licensing terms?
These vary greatly from technology to technology, but the bottom line is that Rutgers will not ask for terms which make it economically unfeasible for your company to market a product. Typical licensing terms will include reimbursement of patent costs, license issue and maintenance fees, royalties on product sales, and development milestones. Under limited circumstances, we will also accept equity in lieu of other payments. Rutgers requires due diligence provisions and indemnification for products sold in every license executed. If you have any questions, or would like to obtain a draft license agreement, please contact OTC.

What if a Rutgers patent was funded under a federal grant?
The federal government will retains march in rights in the patent. There are also certain issues you should be aware of regarding licensing of these patents which can be found at 35 USC$200 et. seq. and 37 CFR 401.

What if my Company wants a license to use Rutgers University Trademarks?
If you are looking for a license to use the Rutgers University Trademarks (i.e. Scarlet Knights) you need to contact the Department of University Relations Trademark and Licensing Office, which is not a part of OTC.

What if I want to send or obtain biological materials under a materials transfer agreement with a researcher at Rutgers?
Contact Industrial Agreements, the group that manages such contracts at OTC, to discuss details of the transfer.

Do you have a copy of Rutgers Policies in this area we can review?
The Rutgers Patent Policy, Code of Ethics, and Conflict of Interest Policy and other relevant Rutgers Policies are available on line for your review. If you cannot find what you are looking for, please contact OTC for assistance.