Spectrum - Volume 21 Issue 11 November 5, 1998 - Intellectual-property, research seminar scheduled

A non-profit publication of the Office of the University Relations of Virginia Tech,
including The Conductor , a special section of the Spectrum printed 4 times a year

Intellectual-property, research seminar scheduled

By Susan Trulove

Spectrum Volume 21 Issue 11 - November 5, 1998

Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties (VTIP), Inc. is presenting a seminar on Monday, Nov. 16, at the Donaldson Brown Center. The focus of the seminar is to detail the variety of opportunities available to the university community with regard to research and technology transfer involving intellectual property.
"Research results can be transferred in a variety of ways. These include the publication of papers, classroom instruction, graduating students; or by licensing the research. Intellectual property is playing a larger role in the relationship between the university and industry," said Mike Martin, executive vice president of VTIP. "Intellectual property is usually involved when an industry is funding research, participating in the commercialization of technology through licensing, or by creating an opportunity for a start-up business."
VTIP, a non-profit company affiliated with the university, sponsors the annual seminar to discuss all aspects of these relationships, from university policy and conflict of interest, to identifying industrial partners or starting a business. There will be separate break-out sessions with panels consisting of industry and university representatives targeted to engineering and physical science, life science, and software to discuss choices and opportunities created by intellectual property.
Industry representatives will include James Roberts of British Technology Group, James Hiney of Technology Law Offices, David Atkins of Johnson & Johnson, Anthony Vittone of Mezzullo & McCandlish, and Michael Whitham of Whitham, Curtis, and Whitham.
Virginia Tech faculty members will also share information about how to succeed. Biology Professor Joe Falkinham, will address the luncheon on the topic "Tech Transfer: Dominion BioSciences to Virginia Tech and Back." Chemistry Professor David Kingston will discuss the benefits of inventor/attorney collaboration to produce the best possible patent. University Attorney Kay Heidbreder will provide her expertise on the topic of "Conflict of Interest" and will participate in an open panel discussion on this timely issue.
VTIP and other sponsors will provide lunch and a reception following the conference, giving participants the opportunity to network with speakers and other participants.
Co-sponsors of the event are Johnson & Johnson, Whitham Curtis & Whitham, LeClair Ryan, Technology Law Offices of James Hiney, Kitty Hawk Capital, and Mezzullo & McCandlish.
For more information call Julie Hancock or Deborah Lucas at VTIP, Inc, 1-3593; or register via the web page at www.vtip.org .