At the University of Siena, the Liaison Office offers advice and support to researchers and lecturers with an idea to patent

Law No. 102 of 24 July 2023 recently came into force. It amends the Code of Industrial Property by eliminating the so-called “professor privilege” in technology transfer, particularly with regard to the exploitation of research results through patenting.
Since 2001 legislation allowed professors and researchers to retain ownership of what they patented in the context of institutional research activities. The Italian case – along with that of Sweden – was unique in Europe.

With the abolition of this provision, the University becomes the owner of all inventions developed within the institute, thus simplifying the transfer of technology and innovation from research facility to production system.

“The costs that we scientists have to bear in the patenting process – comments Professor Domenico Prattichizzo, the Rector’s Delegate for Technology Transfer at the University of Siena – are high in terms of economic, time and organisational resources. A constructive reading of the recent legislation and the changes introduced highlights the role of our University, which, with its Research and Technology Transfer Division, provides competent personnel to guide us inventors through the patenting process in order to effectively valorise our research outputs. I would like to take this opportunity to invite all colleagues to cooperate with the relevant offices to turn research results into patents. This is important for the university and for our entire community”.

The Liaison Office of the University of Siena, within the Research and Technology Transfer Division, deals with all consultancy activities for the protection and valorisation of intellectual property and the management of the University’s patent portfolio. It offers services to researchers, companies and institutions in the area, within the framework of constant interaction with research structures to promote joint university/business projects, also through initiatives to support entrepreneurship and training and networking opportunities.
You can contact the Liaison Office by calling 0577 235373 or writing to liaison@unisi.it and brevetti@unisi.it.
Further information on the office’s activities and services is available online at https://www.unisi.it/ricerca/unisi-research/imprese-e-trasferimento-tecnologico.