A Legislative interim committee will be studying the issue of “intellectual property” – as it pertains to North Dakota’s research universities.
“Intellectual property” refers to research discoveries and inventions produced by academic research. It often becomes marketable to business.
"The purpose was not to let those who are doing the work on the campuses of UND and NDSU know we're watching, and we want to nit-pick," said Sen. Tony Grindberg (R-Fargo). "The purpose is to raise the bar on best practices."
Grindberg said the study will look at what other states are doing, and will look at new patent laws. He also said it will look at other colleges around the country that have lost research dollars, and are not showing enough results.
"Clearly, we have some challenges," said Grindberg. "The results have slowed in North Dakota with the federal earmark ban, and less federal money coming in for research."
The study was assigned to the Higher Education Funding committee, as well as the Judiciary Committee. Grindberg says he’d also like to have the state’s Commerce Department involved.
