Do I have to sign a confidentiality agreement to learn more about USC inventions?
In some cases, we can provide you with published papers and patents that describe the concepts involved in great detail. In others, the only non-confidential information we may have available is a brief description of the discovery. In many cases, we will be able to speak more freely about IP if you've signed a confidential disclosure agreement with USC. Contact our licensing team for specific questions.

Are USC inventions ready for the market?
As a university, USC's expertise is in teaching and research. Some of the technologies and inventions we have available for licensing are ready for commercial use today. We are always looking to work closely with investors and entrepreneurs to put together a commercialization strategy or start-up team.

How much does it cost to license an invention from USC?
We want to quickly and efficiently move USC inventions out to the market – where they can have maximum impact on people’s lives. We look at a number of factors when negotiating a license. We work with licensees to develop terms that are fair to all parties and that will provide incentives to rapidly commercialize the discovery. Our licenses have included a variety of creative terms tailored to fit particular circumstances.

What does USC look for when selecting a company to license an invention?
We want licensees who have the resources, technical expertise, and management skills required to quickly build a sustainable success from the new invention and make a societal impact as quickly as possible.