IP assessment will be conducted together with an external, expert group, chosen in collaboration with the Deans. These “trusted advisers” will help to ensure that we get the right balance between high-value commercial IP and relevant, but less commercial IP.

The primary driver for Easy Access IP is the development of new and constructive relationships with potential users of our research. Companies will be required to acknowledge the University’s contribution in their development and exploitation of our IP. Strong relationship and endorsement delivers a reputational benefit to the University in the event of successful exploitation. Companies taking the IP will carry future IP protection costs. Companies taking Easy Access IP will be required to tell us what benefits (economic or societal) they will generate from access to that IP and this delivers a secondary reputational benefit.

In most cases, companies will need know-how, support or services in order to take on the development of the IP. The originating researcher is the obvious source of this support and we will actively promote these services (through contract research opportunities) and partnership opportunities to the IP-user, generating additional Research and Knowledge Exchange-related business for UNSW.

The origin of the Easy Access IP movement was in the University of Glasgow and was led by NSi’s new CEO, who is still in a position to lead the development of the model internationally. UNSW will join and play a leadership role in this consortium, leading Easy Access nationally and leading the whole consortium internationally
UNSW is well positioned to take a lead role in the whole Easy Access IP initiative. The next stage is likely to be a high profile collaboration with Foundations in the US and elsewhere to help promote the Easy Access model and Easy Access Intellectual Property globally. Being a part of, and in the forefront of, this initiative will significantly enhance UNSW’s reputation.

No. Easy Access IP should be viewed as is an additional “commercialisation” route under the current IP policy. The main change will be that under Easy Access IP, no direct commercialisation revenue is expected.

We will always involve the researchers in the decision making process, and no IP will go through the Easy Access route without the explicit agreement of the researcher and his or her Dean/Head of School. If a researcher does not want to participate the IP will be offered to the Researcher under an Easy Access licence or a normal IP re-assignment.

Under the current IP Policy, UNSW students own the IP they generate with some exceptions. So it is unlikely we can offer their IP as Easy Access IP unless it falls under the exceptions or unless they specifically request NSi to offer their IP as Easy Access IP. Students will be entitled however to take an Easy Access licence if they propose a use for any IP offered.

Only where required under 3rd party agreements (as is currently the case).

Very little of NSi’s funding has come from its commercialisation activities (something it has in common with the vast majority of tech transfer office around the world). The NSi board is currently considering a number of new initiatives (one of which is Easy Access IP) and the funding and staffing required to deliver those initiatives. NSi will continue to have a specialist group dedicated to traditional commercialisation of IP which will be more focussed on IP with a clear commercialisation pathway.

University technology is often at a very early stage of development and it will require significant investment in order to release the inherent value. Universities have limited resource to develop IP to a stage of significant commercial value. The Easy Access IP model accepts this and provides a mechanism for us to release a proportion of our technology portfolios to those who can develop it. It provides an opportunity for companies to take a risk without any financial obligations.

Industry will always seek to gain a competitive advantage by accessing new technology opportunities. It comes down to a simple business decision; if the return on investment is sufficient the licensee will be willing to pay for it.

New partnerships formed; research dollars generated from those partnerships; community impact from Easy Access IP; press mentions and articles; political engagement; secondary external funding arising from the initiative.

It might, if we give away IP which, in the fullness of time, generates a significant income stream. But the risk is very small and is far outweighed by opportunity to engage with industry to attract research funding.

The IP will be offered back to the inventors under the easy Access IP Model or as a traditional re-assignment.

Yes. UNSW will always maintain a legal right to continue research in the space, even when licensed to an Easy Access IP Partner. In the ideal situation, the ongoing research will move ahead collaboratively with the EA IP Partner, and any commercially interesting new IP that results will be developed with them. Alternatively, NSi would work with the EA IP Partner to obtain an appropriate arrangement to commercialise the new IP elsewhere.