What is technology transfer?
The founding purpose of KAIST is to link science and industry and for science and technology to be applied, grow, and develop. Technology transfer is a pillar that fulfills this role and our research output is transformed into products and is aiding public and socio-economic development. Technology transfer is generally defined as the transferring of discovered knowledge to the public. This type of transfer may occur through publications, educated students joining the workforce, exchange through conferences, or links with industry. However, in this guidebook, technology transfer is defined as the technology transfer to a 3rd party, under the guidance of the university, research institution, or employees of businesses working actively in various fields for this type of activity.
Primary Regulations of University Technology Transfer
Primary Regulations of University Technology Transfer
- Patents and technology developed at the University are preferentially transferred to domestic SMEs.
- Granting non-exclusive rights are considered first.
- Rapid Technology proliferation is prioritized over income from technology transfer.
Important Details Regarding the Conclusion of a Technology Transfer Contract (Technology Implementation Contract and Technology Usage Fee Regulations)
- Section 5 (Contract Request) If the chief of research and actual user, through preliminary consultation, agree upon the possibility of successful commercialization, an initial technology implementation contract conclusion written request form will be sent to the department in charge of the technology transfer contracts (hereinafter “Department in Charge”) with the preliminary consultation result including their opinions.
- Section 6 (Preliminary Review) ① In the case of transferring rights during the technology implementation contract, the transferring of rights will undergo review by the Technology Commercialization Committee (hereinafter Committee)
- Section 7 (Deposit) ① At the time of the contract the actual user will deposit at least 10 million KRW as a deposit, but the amount may be adjusted by the chairperson of the committee. ② In the case of a dormant patent, the duty to pay the deposit and its amount will be determined after consultation with the actual user.
- Section 9 (Contract Conclusion) The department in charge will set the technology fee payment conditions with the actual user and receive approval from the associate vice president of the Office of University-Industry Cooperation before concluding the contract.
- Section 20 (Date of Payment) ① If the technology fee was deposited in cash, the inventor or the person carrying out research must submit the “Technology Incentive Fee Allocation Statement of Adjustments to Individuals Form” and the technology incentive fee must be paid within one month of the submission of this form.
Purpose and Benefits given to the Professor (Chief of Research) for Participating in Technology Transfer?
Although reasons may differ, the following will probably be included
- Make a positive influence on society
- Feel a sense of personal accomplishment
- Receive recognition and monetary benefits for their research
- Earn extra research funds for the department or center
- Satisfy research contract duties
- Gain interest from research sponsors
- Create education opportunities for students
- Provide employment opportunities to students
How is Technology Transferred?
Generally, the transfer of technology is dependent on locations that permit the 3rd party use of KAIST’s intellectual property rights through an agreement of a specific technology or field. Such approval may or may not be exclusive. Furthermore, the recipient of the technology transfer (3rd party receiving the technology) can be a startup or a previously established company. The license includes actual conditions that must be fulfilled or requires payments the company must make to KAIST. Such payments will be shared with the inventor and are also allocated to each department and research institution to support education and participation of future technology transfer procedures.
What does the Technology Transfer Center Support?
The Intellectual Property and Technology Commercialization Center is an organization of KAIST that consists of experts in legal matters, business development, and technology transfer. All experts have abundant experience in technology transfer, including but not limited to the fields of natural science, biological science, and information technology. These experts manage new technologies developed in KAIST laboratories and take on the role of transferring such technologies.