TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OFFICES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF INTELLECTUAL AND INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY RIGHTS IN TURKISH UNIVERSITIES: PRACTICES, CHALLENGES, AND OPPORTUNITIES

Outputs of academic research conducted at universities may involve inventions that are subject to intellectual and industrial property rights. University technology transfer offices (TTOs), which play a vital role in the commercialization of academic knowledge, bear significant responsibilities for the protection of these inventions. This study aims to identify the practices, challenges, and opportunities related to the execution of intellectual and industrial property rights processes in Turkish universities and to demonstrate the importance of technology transfer offices in this regard. To achieve this objective, a mixed-method approach was adopted, and a questionnaire consisting of open-ended and closed-ended questions was completed by 96 individuals appointed as Industrial Property Consultants by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (TÜRKPATENT). The collected data were analyzed using thematic coding, descriptive statistics, and difference tests. The study concluded that technology transfer offices generally play an important role in raising awareness regarding intellectual and industrial property rights and in managing these processes within universities. Additionally, it was observed that TTOs experience difficulties in finding qualified personnel and in the process of commercialization. Furthermore, it was determined that the number of transactions carried out in TTOs varies according to the professional certifications held by employees and the support programs utilized. Recommendations were provided to administrators regarding the implementation of activities to increase awareness of the importance of TTOs, the training of qualified personnel, and maximizing the utilization of support programs.