The Transfer of Technology Begins with an Invention

Berkeley Lab

The Technology Transfer Department at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) helps move technologies from the Lab to the marketplace to benefit society and the U. S. economy. This is accomplished through developing and managing an array of partnerships with the private and public sectors.

Berkeley Lab licenses a wide range of cutting-edge technologies to companies that have the financial, R&D, manufacturing, marketing, and managerial capabilities to successfully commercialize Lab inventions. In addition, they manage lab-industry research partnerships, ensure that inventions receive appropriate patent or copyright protection, license technology to start-up companies, distribute royalties to the Lab and to inventors and serve as the Lab resource on industry relations.

Successful technology transfer involves a number of steps, beginning with the invention of new technology or the development of software. These inventions or software are evaluated, and then if appropriate, intellectual property protection (patents or copyright) is sought. Take a detailed look at the steps involved in moving an invention from Berkeley Lab to the marketplace.

This article was provided by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.