Over the next week or so I will be posting comments we received when this paper was first widely circulated in February/March this year.

I would like these comments to start a conversation. Please feel free to add your thoughts and critiques.

From Stuart Wallace - Australian Institute of Commercialisation:

I have a had a good read of the document and see it as an honest appraisal of the issues presented when dealing with PFRA’s.

The issues I have encountered that are not addressed are:

• Over valuing of research based knowledge with no industrial application tested or exercised.
• Seasonal workload versus access: Access to universities is limited in periods when staff are fully committed to student priorities, ( this is at least 50% of the year) and when they are free, business is least able to resource involvement between November and February.
• Business fears the management of their IP is not strong enough when it is experimental, considered of high value or is pre patent. Universities do not offer secure information / knowledge management practices.
• Business often goes to Universities when unable to solve or validate a commercial potential. The comment regarding time delays and appropriateness of RO,s in urgent circumstances ( Section 6) is very valid and one not often enough communicated when business approaches RO”s for assistance.

It should also be clearly communicated that business should go thru the front door of Universities (and any PFRO) , when seeking a commercial relationships and deal with the commercial arm in the first instance. Most every bad experience I see involves a business seeking help from an individual operator at a Uni /  PFRO who enthusiastically helps out on a personnel ( time free) basis. When the time comes for a transaction to be negotiated,  the expectations of the commercial entity greatly exceed the value proposition that is offered by the Uni / PRFO.

This issue is not solely the fault of the Uni / PFRO. Business often profers the direct early access as it sees a way to get quick solution. The universities in my mind need to educate and enforce their operatives of the need to do U2B deals up front to avoid wasting anyone’s  time and effort.