The Georgian Technical University Hosted a Panel Discussion on the Relevance of Intellectual Property Management

Ms. Tika Nebieridze, Deputy Chairperson of Sakpatenti, participated in a panel discussion on the relevance of intellectual property management, held at the Georgian Technical University (GTU). The agenda of the panel discussion included analyzing the importance of intellectual property protection in the period of university research and its commercialization and revealing best practices.

The university research and innovation have a significant impact on the economic development of the country, global competitiveness and commercialization. During the event, it was noted that these components are a significant source of funding for scientists and researchers, whereas sale and licensing of products obtained from research is one of the main incomes for certain universities. Hence, in the process of university research, it is highly important to protect the intellectual property of the obtained innovation. It was also noted at the meeting that from the beginning of research, it is necessary to determine the rights and duties between a university and a researcher, to identify the share of a donor’s involvement in the funding of research. Along with these issues, the duration of the research process and formation of costs as a significant capital investment should be taken into consideration. For donor organizations, university foundations and private businesses, which are investing capital in new research, it is important to have guarantees that research results will not be misappropriated and the legal guarantee of this factor is exactly intellectual property protection.

It is noteworthy that the panel discussion held at GTU was an excellent opportunity to assess the relevance of the intellectual property related problem of university research, taking into account the Georgian reality as well as based on the best foreign experience.

Together with Sakpatenti, representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia, the Georgia’s Innovation and Technology Agency, the Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia, heads of research institutes of the GTU and deans of faculties participated in the discussion. Dr. Guven Yalcintas, Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Philosophy, the University of Rochester (USA), joined the panel discussion online.