LICENSING ASSOCIATE

Unit/Project Description:

McMaster Industry Liaison Office (MILO) supports faculty in the commercialization of their research. The Licensing Associate plays a key role in enabling copyrighted materials (questionnaires, survey, digital tools developed by faculty members) to be made available to other research institutions, hospitals or clinics, and companies leading to societal health and well-being.

Job Summary:

Responsible for providing administrative support in preparing, reviewing and finalizing intellectual property license agreements. Provides accurate and timely information to clients regarding intellectual property license agreements which require a thorough knowledge of various legal agreements and University policies and procedures.

Purpose and Key Functions:

• Draft and negotiate license agreements for final approval and execution by authorized University officials.

• Explain and defend University policies in an effort to facilitate agreements with external clients.

• Plan and coordinate meetings with internal and external clients for the purpose of negotiating agreements.

• Prepare intellectual property license agreements based on established templates.

• Review intellectual property license agreements to ensure compliance with the University's policies, copyright laws, and indemnity clauses.

• Alert management of irregular and undesirable terms in agreements that are received from potential licensees and provide alternative recommendations.

• Provide information to clients in regards to intellectual property license agreements for questionnaires and translations.

• Negotiate proposed clause changes in agreement templates with external clients. Review changes with management for approval.

• Review and finalize intellectual property license agreements for questionnaires with external clients.

• Track the progress of agreements and monitor accounts to project completion to ensure the University and other parties meet any and all legal obligations.

• Resolve licensing issues such as problems with access to foreign language translations.

• Track the use of questionnaires to ensure appropriate fees are paid by the licensee, and that an amendment is negotiated for the license.

• Conduct database, literature and internet searches to locate documents and articles related to University owned questionnaires.

• Provide information to licensees in regards to appropriate license agreements for online questionnaires.

• Manage the marketing of online questionnaires.

• Write a variety of documents such as correspondence and reports.

• Collect, verify, and input data into a variety of spreadsheets and databases.

• Ensure that pricing is calculated correctly for the activities proposed by licensee.

• Calculate license fees and prepare invoices.

• Set up and maintain filing systems, both electronic and hard copy.

• Assemble, copy, collate, and disseminate a variety of documents and materials.

Supervision:

• No formal supervision of others is required.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field of study.

• Requires 3 years of relevant experience.

Assets:

• Experience in reviewing and negotiating legal agreements and contracts.

• Willingness to learn and adapt to new processes and gain new skills.

• Ability to problem solve and make decisions based on evidence or learned experiences.