Cacophony or Harmony? Multivocal Logics and Technology Licensing by the Stanford University Department of Music

Stanford University, which successfully licensed FMsound synthesis, was one of the first universities to become engaged incommercialization activities.The music department of Stanford Universityhas developed a broad portfolio of licenses over the years since the licensefor FM sound synthesis. This research explores the relationship between the logics of thedepartment's musical focus and its complementary focus on technologydevelopment.A variety of sources were utilized, including: interviewswith key faculty, discussions with personnel in the university's Office ofTechnology Licensing, and data from the United States Patent and TrademarkOffice. A review of the events leading up to and occurring after John Chowning'screation of FM sound synthesis identifiesthe key events that made thisongoing activitypossible.Included in this work was the creation ofthe Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA).Thenumber of patents granted to Stanford University's CCRMA department annuallyhas increased from 1 in 1972 to over 30 in 2001. CCRMA's success can be linked to a number of factors, including maintainingrelationships with a number of companies, retaining its reputation as an elitecenter for computer music research, and continuing focus on both music andtechnology development. (SRD)