GRAFF, Gregory D
Gregory D. Graff is an applied economist with expertise in the economics of innovation, entrepreneurship, intellectual property, and technology transfer, especially as they apply to the agricultural life sciences and biotechnology. He applies microeconomic and econometric tools to scientific, patent, regulatory, and commercial data, building uniquely thorough industry-level datasets to analyze the impacts of innovation and technology transactions on markets, industrial organization, and the political economy of science policy.
Dr. Graff currently manages research projects for the Public Sector Intellectual Property Resource for Agriculture (PIPRA), a consortium of 37 agricultural research universities and institutes that is hosted by the University of California. PIPRA uses an innovative model of collaborative intellectual property management to mobilize its members’ technologies for the purpose of genetically improving “orphan” crops. Dr. Graff has taught as a university lecturer at both U.C. Berkeley and U.C. Davis and has recently published articles in The Review of Economics and Statistics, World Development, California Management Review, and Nature Biotechnology as well as chapters in several books. Dr. Graff has a Ph.D. in agricultural and resource economics from U.C. Berkeley (2002), an M.A. in economics from Ohio State University (1995), and a B.S. in biology from Cornell University (1992).
 Abstract
Echoes of Bayh-Dole? A Survey of IP and Technology Transfer Policies in Emerging and Developing Economies
Abstract
Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer by the University of California Agricultural Experiment Station
Abstract:
One of the primary missions of the University of California Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) is to create knowledge and develop technologies that improve the productivity and environmental sustainability of agriculture in California. In addition to the public release of information and the educational activities of cooperative extension services, the University of California places the inventions of AES faculty directly into commerce through the process of patenting and technology transfer. This channel is particularly useful—and often essential—when further financial investments are necessary to develop the technology for practical applications or to manufacture, market, and distribute new products that incorporate the new technology. This report documents the patenting and formal technology transfer activities of the University of California Agricultural Experiment Station over the last 40 years.
More than 800 inventions have been reported by AES researchers between 1960 and 2001. These inventions are categorized into the five broad technology areas: biotechnology (49%), plant varieties (19%), chemicals (14%), equipment/machinery (13%), and environmental (1%). Biotechnology inventions were entirely absent until the mid-1980s, but the category has grown rapidly over the last 15 years. The growth in the number of biotechnology-related inventions has occurred not at the expense of inventions reported in the areas of plant varieties, agricultural equipment, or novel chemicals, all of which have shown a relatively stable level of activity.
Financial returns from the licensing of AES inventions was US$1.4 million in fiscal year 1982 (2.5 million in 2001 dollars) but had grown to US$12 million by fiscal year 2001. After accounting for expenses associated with patenting new inventions and distribution of a share of income to inventors, AES inventions returned over US$6 million to the university in fiscal year 2001. Since 1982, the cumulative financial return has totaled US$105.2 million in fees and royalties. About 87% of that income has been derived from the licensing of plant varieties in spite of the fact that they compose only 19% of the AES inventions, indicating the commercial importance of UC plant varieties. To date, relatively few biotechnology- or environmental-related inventions have been commercialized, but the extensive and growing UC portfolio in these areas should provide a strong base for future licensing activity.
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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