Quick guide to commercialisation

4 MINUTE READ

Commercialising your research means creating real impact. We guide you through the process starting with your idea or invention.

Understand what commercialisation is

Technology commercialisation is a way of transferring creations to the broader community. This process is also called ‘technology transfer’ or ‘research translation’.

Through commercialisation, you can use your research to contribute to the economy, culture, and our quality of life.

On this site we use the word 'commercialisation' to mean the licensing of creations. Creations are also called 'intellectual property', or 'IP'. We licence IP to third parties, usually industry.

You may want to get involved in commercialisation for many reasons. Apart from impact, you can get personal fulfilment, generate funding, attract research sponsors or create educational opportunities for students. It may even lead to a new career.

What is commercialisation?

Navigate the commercialisation process

Commercialising your research can take months – or even years – to complete. At the University we have professionals to help guide you through the process.

It all starts with the IP you create through your research:

Pre-disclosure is when you tell us about what you’re working on and get guidance.
IP disclosure happens when you submit an IP disclosure form.
An assessment is then done with your help. We review the IP disclosure, do patent searches if needed, and analyse the market to decide the IP’s commercial potential.
We may then pursue some form of IP protection, for example a by lodging a patent application.
Development and marketing involve identifying companies with the expertise, resources and business networks to develop the IP into a marketable product or service.
Licensing the IP is through a licence agreement. This is a contract where we licence the University’s rights, without giving up ownership, for financial and other benefits.
Commercialisation happens when the licensee develops products or services based on the IP. Most licence agreements generate revenue. Fees vary, but most licences don’t deliver big revenues.

The University engages in commercialisation primarily to generate impact, not financial reward. For you, too, the rewards of seeing your creation reach a broader market are often greater than financial ones alone.

The commercialisation process

Manage your research for commercialisation

To protect the value of the IP you create, it’s important to consider how you manage your research at all times. You need to understand how you can use others’ IP, share your IP and deal with the rights of your research sponsor.

Protecting your IP doesn’t mean you can't publish the results of your research. But previous publications can affect a patent application. It's best to submit an IP disclosure form well before you publish.

You can avoid risks to your patent rights and make sure you don’t damage the opportunity to market your IP. Talk to us as soon as you believe you’ve created or discovered something unique with potential commercial value.

Tell us in advance about upcoming publications or discussions with companies about your IP.

A research contract must specify the IP rights of the sponsor. In some cases the University keeps ownership of the IP and the sponsor has rights to a licence. In other cases, the sponsor has a limited time to negotiate a licence.

Talk to us for help understanding, initiating and dealing with research contracts.

In a consultancy arrangement, a researcher provides defined, specialist advice to a customer for a fee. If you're thinking about consultancy, talk to your Department.

Make sure the proposed consulting arrangement meets Departmental and University policies.

Manage your research for commercialisation

Navigate conflicts of interest

As you work with commercial interests it’s possible that conflicts of interest will come up. The University can help you recognise potential conflicts, give you guidance and help you manage them.

A conflict of interest happens when your personal interests and your professional duty to the University are not aligned. This can bring you to the point where someone could wonder if the potential for personal gain is motivating your actions or decisions.

This doesn’t always mean unethical behaviour. But in the academic community, this inference can compromise the University's reputation. You must identify and disclose conflict of interests as soon as they happen, so we can manage them.

Commercialisation activities may offer powerful financial incentives for you as a creator. These can be through consulting, forming a start-up or patenting and licensing a creation. You must make sure that you’re not influenced by the prospect of personal gain when you make decisions as a University employee.

It's your responsibility to disclose and document any situations that represent a conflict of interest. The University’s processes for managing conflicts of interest and commercialisation are evolving. Check the Research Ethics website for the most up-to-date information.