Management of Intellectual Property in Brazilian Universities: a Multiple Case Study

Abstract

Originally established to incentivize individual inventors the patent system became broadly used by corporations, and has been increasingly used by universities worldwide. In Brazil, this is not different; especially in recent years when public policy has attempted to more directly foster innovation in the country. However, little is known as to the extent that universities in Brazil are able to coordinate patent-related activities and to facilitate knowledge transfer. On the basis of multiple case studies this paper explores how publicly-funded universities in Brazil are equipping themselves to deal with intellectual property rights (IPR) as well as technology licensing. The studied cases suggest that despite significant amount of patents applications, Brazilian universities present many differences in the management of their intellectual property. In particular, universities’ TTOs seem to play a central role in university productivity when it comes to patenting and knowledge transfer.

Originally established to incentivize individual inventors the patent system became broadly used by corporations, and has been increasingly used by universities worldwide. In Brazil, this is not different; especially in recent years when public policy has attempted to more directly foster innovation in the country. However, little is known as to the extent that universities in Brazil are able to coordinate patent-related activities and to facilitate knowledge transfer. On the basis of multiple case studies this paper explores how publicly-funded universities in Brazil are equipping themselves to deal with intellectual property rights (IPR) as well as technology licensing. The studied cases suggest that despite significant amount of patents applications, Brazilian universities present many differences in the management of their intellectual property. In particular, universities’ TTOs seem to play a central role in university productivity when it comes to patenting and knowledge transfer.