The vast majority of startups with roots in a university are formed by alumni or former students, similar to the process that was depicted in the movie The Social Network. The Zuck had it easy. Since Zuckerberg was a Harvard undergraduate student, not an employee, the university could not lay claim to an ownership stake in Facebook. Had Harvard owned a patent for a core component of Facebook’s technology or business method, the plot of The Social Network may have been different. Imagine the following:
* Zuckerberg works for Harvard
* Zuckerberg uses a Harvard computer, network, and proprietary photos of students from Harvard’s various residence halls
* Zuckerbergs files his invention, as required by his employment contract, with Harvard’s technology commercialization office
* Harvard files for a patent which costs Harvard $30,000 and lots of staff time and overhead
* Zuckerberg decides he *must* launch Facebook commercially, and he and his co-founders approach Harvard’s patent office to see what their options are
To read the full, original article click on this link: Easing the contractual burdens of university startups « Triple Helix Innovation
Author: Melba Kurman
