Moving from invention to commercializing it is a tough process, one for which scientists are often ill-prepared. In an article published yesterday on physicsworld.com, Ph.D.-holder and licensed patent law practitioner Nadya Reingand offers academics practical advice on whether and how to embark on the process.
In her article, Reingand helps academics decide whether they should attempt to commercialize their invention by explaining how to assess whether their inventions are "novel, profitable, owned by you." Reingand goes on to highlight the traditional lack of training for academics as one of the main challenges of commercialization, pointing readers to sources of help as well as specialized courses and workshops. She also alerts readers to the thorny issue of ownership in the context of student inventions.
"Although it is very satisfying to see an invention become a commercial success (and the monetary rewards are also nice!), this process usually takes a long time and much perseverance. Continuing research is often more fun," Reingand writes. Yet, with external funding becoming an increasingly important criteria in the evaluation of scientists by their universities, "rather than complaining about commercialization, individual scientist-inventors should focus on turning inventions into a rewarding part of their careers," Reingand continues.
You can read the entire article here.
