Abstract:
The panel will explore and address the current landscape and challenges of intellectual property (IP) policies in academic contexts and their impact on collaboration with industry. It will examine the benefits of revising current university IP policies to adopt more inclusive and flexible strategies that consider the interests of all parties involved in research collaborations, and the need for a balanced approach to IP rights that ensures fair distribution of benefits and a win-win situation between academic and industry partners.

Summary of Conversations

The panel explored intellectual property strategies, highlighting Canada’s position compared to global leaders and Quebec’s approach with the Axelis agency. Canada actively participates in international treaties, bolstering its IP laws and fostering education. A key theme was the importance of converting research into innovation, bridging the gap between discovery and application. Real-world examples, like the lithium iron phosphate patent case, underscore the need for strong IP protection, expert counsel, and strategic decision-making. Axelis’s model, designed to maximize the impact of public research, focuses on identifying potential, offering expertise, and facilitating technology transfer to Quebec-based SMEs. Discussions touched upon balancing the interests of researchers, institutions, and businesses in IP negotiations, emphasizing collaboration and strategic protection.

Take Away Messages/ Current Status of Challenges

• Canada, while progressing, still lags behind global leaders in leveraging intellectual property for innovation, necessitating continued efforts to bridge this gap. 
• The transformation of research into tangible innovation is hindered by a critical “number two” stage, emphasizing the need for mechanisms and strategies to convert research outputs into practical applications. 
• Securing broad impact, encompassing economic, societal, environmental, and cultural dimensions, requires aligning incentives for researchers, institutions, and society. 
• Navigating the Canadian IP environment is complex, demanding a holistic approach that integrates various stakeholders and jurisdictions. 
• Successfully protecting IP and licensing technology hinges on securing proficient and knowledgeable counsel, especially when confronting challenges such as patent trolls or IP theft. 
• Harmonizing diverse interests and expectations among researchers, business partners, and academic institutions in IP negotiations remains a significant challenge. 
• There’s a pressing need to enhance IP literacy and education among Canadian businesses and innovators to foster a culture of strategic IP management.

Recommendations/Next Steps

• Strengthen participation in international treaties and agreements to align Canadian IP practices with global standards. 
• Implement strategic IP education initiatives, utilizing resources like the IP Village program, to empower Canadian innovators and businesses. 
• Develop and promote consistent IP governance models that public research institutions can adapt, fostering greater predictability and collaboration. 
• Emphasize the significance of IP strategy as the foundation for technology businesses, ensuring that policies are implemented from the earliest stages of research. 
• Encourage greater use of tools like defensive publication and industrial secrecy to protect innovations beyond patenting. 
• Improve mechanisms for redistributing the financial benefits of tech transfer, directly supporting research labs and incentivizing collaboration. 
• Foster collaboration among universities to create comprehensive IP frameworks that facilitate cross-disciplinary research and innovation. 
• Explore strategies to protect IP in high-risk geopolitical contexts, such as China, considering alternative approaches like know-how protection.