Encouraging University Entrepreneurship? The Effect of the Bayh-Dole Act on University Patenting in the United States

Universities are considered sources of technology that further economic development. Many policies have been considered by policymakers to expedite the university development and transfer process. The Bayh-Dole Act and its influence on university patenting is examined. University patents from the years 1969 through 1996 involving 117 types of businesses are examined. Four primary findings were made. (1) The Bayh-Dole Act should be reconsidered as to its importance in furthering the university patenting process, with this study indicating that the act was an important catalyst in the distribution of patents over various businesses. (2) The post-Bayh-Dole Act provides a basis for assessing the reasons for the conflict among university departments over technology transfer that has developed in recent years.(3) The results provide proof of why changes in public policy should be made in industrial enterprises. (4) Finally, the act should encourage policymakers in emerging regions to examine the incentives provided by such programs as the Bayh-Dole Act on university technology before adopting policies similar to those in the United States.(JSD)