Office of Technology Development (OTD)

 Patenting & Licensing Process

As a general rule, the marketing of a technology begins when a patent application has been filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. However, sometimes a technology is so advanced that the market hasn't caught up with it. In these instances, MCW may wait until the market matures so that the technology can be licensed at higher value.

Once marketing ensues, the MCW Office of Technology Development (OTD) will develop a non-confidential disclosure for publication on its website. It will also directly contact companies through several mechanisms:

• Direct Company Visits – Periodically, OTD visits selected companies to introduce the companies to MCW, OTD and their inventions.
• Direct Mail and E-Mail – OTD often introduces new technologies to established contacts at companies around the U.S. and around the world.
• Canvassing Campaigns – On occasion, the OTD marketing staff conducts marketing campaigns to reach new contacts and new companies.
• Tradeshows and Conferences – OTD regularly attends tradeshows where it can learn about competing technologies and meet company representatives. OTD will also travel with an inventor to scientific conferences. Contacts made in connection with a presentation are a rich source for potential licenses. Having a scientific champion at a company makes licensing a much easier process.