Time to Reflect on a Year of Challenges

Mike Waring
Advocacy and Alliances Coordinator
AUTM



As any year draws to a close, human nature almost requires us to look back and evaluate how things went. No year sees all positive or negative events – but the past twelve months have brought some new challenges to the fore for technology transfer.
 
With reductions in federal research dollars, many faculty and graduate students have faced serious issues in pushing forward with their work. Universities in general have also been the target of punitive actions related to DEI, anti-Zionism, and perceived bias. These actions have led to a whirlwind of pushback, notably the lawsuits filed by the major higher education associations on the issue of proposed cuts in indirect costs. There have also been attempts to have universities sign “compacts” with the government, whereby changes in university activities and attitudes might be rewarded with greater access to federal support.
 
However one sees these fights, they have certainly created unease and challenges within universities. Different schools have responded in different ways, although the main thread has been to resist many of the proposals coming out of Washington.
 
That said, the university community has also had opportunities to collaborate in new ways. The negotiations over a different way to determine indirect cost reimbursements has met with positive steps forward in discussions with Congress. 
 
Also, the new leadership at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office portends progress on some important IP issues. New Director John Squires has already staked out strong positions in favor of improving the definition of “patent eligible” subject matter, and he has proposed taking much more control over the controversial way in which the Patent Trial and Appeals Board has operated. These improvements offer a chance for inventors and other patent holders to have a much better rate of success in getting ideas considered for patenting, as well as a fairer system for determining patent legitimacy. Those changes augur well for the future if carried out.
 
This year has also been a chance for technology transfer to show its mettle on campuses across the nation.  Your office has the stories and the data points that your president and your federal relations officers need to make the case for tech transfer in Washington. Your success stories also remind your campus leadership of the value of what you do, and why making sure your office has the resources to ensure compliance with federal regulations is so important. 
 
The year ahead will continue to confront us. The notion that licensing revenues ought to be taxed or shared has been floated. A tax on patent “values” themselves has also been mentioned. These fundamental changes to the way in which we work could have huge impacts on our work.
 
As 2026 begins in a few weeks, let us rededicate ourselves and our tech transfer operations to being ready to respond to these challenges, as well as taking advantage of new opportunities that may arise. 
 
Happy holidays to you all.