The Flow of Knowledge from the Academic Research Base into the Economy: The Use and Effectiveness of Formal IPRs and 'Soft IP' in UK Universities

Abstract

Academics produce a wide range of intellectual property (IP) products, which can be transferred to industry, government and other external stakeholders in different ways. Models of IP transfer involve different roles played by technology transfer offices, scientists, external commercialisation companies and universities themselves. Two comprehensive literature reviews recently commissioned by the Strategic Advisory Board for Intellectual Property Policy (SABIP) (Baghurst et al, 2009; Rogers et al, 2009) have emphasised that different models of IP transfer can be appropriate in different circumstances. They stressed the need for more extensive investigation into the nature, advantages, value and limitations of “soft” forms of intellectual property (IP) – such as copyright, open source, trademarks and design rights – in counterbalancing the predominant use of patents (or “hard IP”). Such research would provide a more complete picture of the full contribution made by university knowledge to industry and society. Our report makes an original contribution to the understanding of different IP governance models of university-industry knowledge transfer. It also offers new analysis of the absolute and relative importance of “hard” and “soft” IP in the knowledge flows between universities and external stakeholders. Our focus is on processes of direct and indirect knowledge transfer from university to industry, government and society, and on their feedback to universities through knowledge and financial flows.