[Fwd: Re: [LINK] Einstein's fridge an example for NICTA?]

[Evan.ARTHUR at Dest.gov.au]

As a hopefully useful contribution to this fun discussion, data on
actual dollars obtained by universities through commercialisation
activities, plus a bunch of reports on the overall issue can be found
at:

http://www.dest.gov.au/sectors/research_sector/policies_issues_reviews/k
ey_issues/commercialisation/default.htm

As always, sorry about the interminable URL.  

In case you were wondering, overall policy does not in any way equate
value from public ally funded research with commercial returns.  Even in
the area of commercialisation the following quote from the most recent
cross Government look at the issue may be of interest:  

"...for Australia's publicly funded research, 'research
commercialisation' be defined as the means by which universities' and
PFRAs' (ie Publicly Funded Research Agencies) research generates
commercial benefit, thereby contributing to Australia's economic, social
and environmental well-being. This is achieved through developing
intellectual property, ideas, know-how and research-based skills
resulting in new and improved products, services and business processes
transferable to the private sector."

And while I am at it, the issue of open access to research publications
has nothing much to do with commercialisation.  If you are really too
bored to live see
http://www.cyberlawcentre.org/unlocking-ip2004/s1_speakers.html#arthur.
And NICTA was funded by new money.




Evan Arthur
Group Manager
Innovation and Research Systems Group
Department of Education, Science and Training