A Task Force representing academic, business and government perspectives will look at the advantages of creating a System-wide structure among research campuses to increase visibility and accelerate the commercial development of research discoveries made in Georgia’s universities.

The Task Force’s first step is to fully understand the linkages between two vital processes:

The development of intellectual property and associated practices within the University System of Georgia

The current commercialization process of IP

The knowledge gained will be used to maximize the potential of Georgia’s investment in the university facilities, laboratories, and research that accelerate the commercialization of IP discoveries

Goals

Provide a framework for assessing and evaluating current practices

Develop an enterprise-wide structure to raise the visibility of research discoveries, laboratories and university centers providing a “facts-based decision” tool

Develop a “life-cycle” model which betters supports and grows the creation of intellectual property, commercialization activity and company creation from the within the university into the marketplace

Roles of the Task Force, Advisory Committee, Information Analysis Team

Task Force members contribute insight on the key infrastructure, operational, regulatory, financial, and institutional needs, issues and constraints; develop solutions to improve intellectual property commercialization activities and outcomes.

Advisory Committee members provide key insight from “inside the system” while identifying the needs and issues of this complex arena.

The final report and recommendations were issued July 15, 2008.