Office of Technology Development
The Office of Technology Development (OTD) is responsible for protection and commercialization of University research innovations that emerge from all dimensions of USM's research enterprise, from the sciences to the humanities.
OTD will work with inventors to define and market technology portfolios of inventions, to promote new business ventures and to build business alliances that will accelerate the transition of inventions to the marketplace.
OTD is also responsible for drafting and negotiating all of the University's legal intellectual property agreements, including, but not limited to, confidentiality, material transfer and licensing agreements.
MURA & Start-up CompaniesIntellectual Property Primer
Fun Facts
Some key points to keep in mind when considering an agreement negotiation.
Contracts are between USM and a third party, not between a university sub-unit and a third party, so USM should always be identified as "The University of Southern Mississippi.
USM is an entity of the state of Mississippi and therefore cannot be governed by the laws of another state or jurisdiction.
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein, it is recognized that University is a public agency of the State of Mississippi and is subject to the Mississippi Public Records Act, Mississippi Code Annotated ยง25-61-1, et seq., as amended. If a public records request is made for any Information provided to University pursuant to this Agreement, University shall promptly notify the disclosing Party of such request. The disclosing Party shall promptly institute appropriate legal proceedings to protect its Information. No Party to this Agreement shall be liable to the other Party for disclosures of Information required by Court order or required by law.