USC Researchers & Innovators
Protect and Amplify Your Ideas.
We facilitate the transfer of inventions from academic research labs to the market. We strategically assess and advance researchers’ intellectual property, provide legal protection, help navigate the patent process, advise on licensing pathways, support startups, and market technologies to attract investments and accelerate commercialization. Our team cultivates collaboration with innovators and builds strong partnerships that help translate academic research into real-world solutions.
“Every discovery begins with curiosity, but it reaches the world through intention, strategy, and connection. Our role is helping innovators achieve their goals with a process designed to protect value and enable progress.”
Dr. Erin Overstreet
Executive Director
Step-by-Step Guides
Invention Disclosure
Know when and how to disclose your discovery so IP protection and future opportunities remain intact.
IP Timeline Overview
Understand each stage from disclosure to IP protection and plan your research with confidence and clarity.
Licensing Pathways
See the options for commercialization, from startup formation to industry partnerships that accelerate growth.
Policies, Guidance, Operations and Procedures
Access policies and procedures that outline how intellectual property is managed at USC, including the rights and responsibilities that protect your discoveries. We make these details clear and easy to navigate as your work progresses.
If you need support with matters outside the Stevens Center’s scope, the Other Resources page points you directly to the right university office or campus partner. It is a quick way to get reliable answers so your research progress stays focused and uninterrupted.
Navigating USC’s 2026 Intellectual Property Policy Video
What We Do for Students
We help you understand how intellectual property works at USC and how to protect discoveries that come from coursework, research, or creative projects.
Meet Our Licensing Team
Life Sciences and MedTech
Physical Sciences
Consult with our team
We provide complimentary legal consultation with a qualified corporate or intellectual property attorney.