Tech Valley News
Nation's First Tech-Transfer Masters Program
Albany Law School's Science and Technology Law Center received a $120,000 check today from N.Y. State Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno to develop the nation's first Master's of Science in Legal Studies focused on technology transfer.
The new degree will be designed to help working professionals better understand the legal and business aspects of the tech-transfer process, as well as better identify technology that holds the promise of success in the commercial market.
"This type of degree program benefits area universities and the companies that rely on technology transfer applications to successfully market high-tech goods and services," said Senator Bruno.
"This first-of-its-kind initiative will be a significant boost to Tech Valley, helping to retain businesses and attract new high-tech firms that will spur job creation and enhance economic development across New York State."
"The tech-transfer process requires understanding a complex process of many stages, using a wide range of skills," said Thomas F. Guernsey, president and dean, Albany Law School. "We will develop a program to help the region's schools and companies gain the ability to assess the strength of an opportunity, evaluate the business risks involved, and, when appropriate, pursue the process toward successful commercialization."
Albany Law School plans to enroll students into the masters program in January 2007 and expects to develop the program with regional partners like Union College, Rensselear Polytechnic Institute, the Research Foundation of State University of New York, and area companies engaged in tech-transfer activity.
The Science and Technology Center will administer the masters program, led by Director Saul Seinberg, who was Trademark and Copyright Counsel at IBM and left to focus on transactional and IP licensing work at Sun Microsystems.
|