Commercialization of intellectual assets

This chapter explains the commercialization process and the role of IPRs in that process. Intellectual property may be commercialized by sale or assignment, or by entering into various types of contractual business relationships such as licensing. The business vehicle by which this is done may be by way of partnership, joint venture or spin-off company. IPRs play a crucial role as the legal vehicle through which either the transfer of knowledge or the contractual relationship is effected. Alternatively, knowledge may be exploited in-house, in which case the role of IPRs is to block imitating competition.

Related Subject(s): International Law and Justice