The University-Industry Liaison Office (UILO) has long been a North American leader in commercialization, and its processes and procedures have influenced the practices of peer institutions across the continent. The University of British Columbia facilitates the commercialization of research results however, cannot independently be a leader in knowledge exchange and mobilization. Partnerships with the private, public and non-profit sectors are essential in increasing the quality and impact of UBC’s research and scholarship.
In recent years, the UILO has focused on improving existing practices and services. Much has been done to provide more flexibility in the handling of intellectual property and to simplify the negotiation of research agreements through developing templates; memoranda of understanding; and, in the case of BC provincial government ministries, a tool kit and standard agreement to facilitate interactions for both parties. This more flexible approach to IP allows, at the discretion of the researcher, for assignment of IP in collaborative research projects to the industry partner.
More information about the UILO can be found on their website.