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About
MIHR
PIPRA
Fiocruz, Brazil
bioDevelopments- Institute
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MUTSCHLER, Martha
Martha Mutschler is a professor in the Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University. She directs a research program in tomato and onion breeding and genetics. Her work deals with plant genetics and breeding projects concerning the genetic control of novel traits derived from wild species, the genetic control/physiological mechanisms underlying these traits, and the use of these mechanisms in vegetable improvement. This work has resulted in several U.S. patents, as well as the release of elite breeding lines with novel forms of disease resistance or insect resistance, or modified production traits such as extended shelf life or early maturity. Dr. Mutschler has served on the board of directors for the Cornell Research Foundation (the patent and licensing unit for Cornell University) for over a decade. This service led to her interest in plant intellectual property, a subject on which she has published. It also led her to develop a computer-assisted instruction module for training undergraduate and graduate students in IP issues.
 Abstract
Introduction to IP Issues In the University Setting: A Primer for Scientists
Abstract:
Intellectual property (IP) is inherent to many of the research, teaching, and extension functions of the university, and IP issues can occur in all phases of the corresponding programs. A research program may utilize IP generated and protected by others in its planning and execution phases. As a research program advances, decisions made regarding disclosure of results may affect whether or not discoveries made by the program can eventually be protected.
A successful research program will generate discoveries—and therefore IP—and decisions must be made regarding whether to protect, and how to deploy, those discoveries. The decisions must consider the management of IP as well as the goals and priorities of the research program and the university. It is also important to consider IP in the teaching and extension functions of the university, including the creation or use of written materials, software, networked resources, or designs.
IP and IP issues are not the sole or even the primary focus of a university. However, failure to properly consider IP issues can lead to frustrating and costly problems. Fortunately, realistic and efficient management of IP in research, teaching, and extension requires only a minimal working understanding of the issues and an ability to access on-campus assistance in dealing with them.
This chapter presents basic information that any scientist should know about IP, discusses the importance of IP management in a scientist’s work, and reviews additional sources of information regarding IP. We hope, this chapter will assist the reader in avoiding simple yet costly errors in IP management.
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