GovWire

This study uses UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) survey data to analyse registered IP and commercialisation outcomes reported by recipients of UK research council grants between 2010 and 2020. Two types of registered IP rights are analysed: patents and trade marks.

Grant recipients that report registered IP outcomes also frequently report IP licensing, spinout creation, collaboration with the private sector and clinical trials. These are taken as signals of commercialisation.

Not all projects funded by the research councils engage in activity suited to patent or trade mark protection, or commercialisation. Their performance therefore cannot be evaluated based on these outcomes. This study instead focuses on how registered IP rights are used by some researchers, and how their use associates with commercialisation of publicly funded research.

A PDF copy of the report is available on request by emailing research@ipo.gov.uk.