One of the problems of corporate-sponsored research and development has always been doubts about sponsors’ ability to reap the benefits of their investment. It’s difficult to expect corporations to kick in for R&D efforts only to see others gain from the results.
That’s why in 1988 CANMET implemented new guidelines that set out how to protect, manage and exploit intellectual property — any information developed while carrying out R&D.
That has gone a long way to promote R&D efforts in the mining industry. According to the government agency’s newsletter, CANMET signed more than 300 collaborative agreements with companies during 1989, more than ever before.
CANMET has also successfully licensed 12 technologies, including highly specialized expert systems for mineral processing and advanced numerical modelling software.
Furthermore, the new guidelines appear to be convincing CANMET scientists that they can exploit their intellectual property. Last year CANMET scientists disclosed almost 50% more inventions than in any previous year, about three each month.
As the potential for gains from R&D become more evident, it is likely that such activity will experience further growth to the benefit of the entire industry.
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