Many institutions have IP and/or patent committees as part of their IP/Tech Transfer system governance or operation. These committees can play an important role in the Tech Transfer system. For example, the committee can handle appeals or difficult IP policy questions which are best not handled by the TTO. These committees can be problematic when they are involved in operational issues of the TTO. In some institutions, the IP committee decides whether to file or not file patents. While this can take the pressure of hard and difficult IP decisions (and of telling inventors “No”) off the TTO and TTP, it can also be an inefficient and political process. In any case, it is wise for the TTO director to develop a good working relationship with the committee members, particularly the chair. Many TTO directors have found a very useful role for IP Committees in handling difficult IP policy dilemmas and difficult choices. They can provide a neutral arbiter in the event of a dispute between the TTO and a faculty member. The TTO director should provide recommendations to the senior institutional leader responsible for selecting IP Committee members. Such recommendations should include faculty and staff that are knowledgeable and supportive of the IP/Tech Transfer function in general, and the TTO specifically.
