Technology Commercialization

The Applied Research Liaison Office (ARLO) is a support group for researchers at BCIT and the liaison for industry interested in licensing BCIT technology. The following services are available to assist with technology transfer, intellectual property protection and commercialization of new products and technologies:

Intellectual Property Protection

The Applied Research Liaison Office (ARLO) provides the institution and its clients with information on intellectual property as well as protection. The ARLO is responsible for implementing the IP Policy by encouraging disclosures of innovations, managing the process of patent filing on behalf of BCIT or a client, and commercializing viable technologies. ARLO is available for consultation on protection strategies, patent applications, disclosure information, and to answer any questions that arise regarding intellectual property at BCIT.

Please note that copyright issues relating to creative works or course materials can be addressed by the BCIT Library.

As a reminder to inventors, any public disclosures of intellectual property leads to an immediate loss of patenting rights outside of North America and starts a 12 month clock for filing in the US and Canada

Technology Licensing

When commercially viable inventions are disclosed to the Applied Research Liaison Office (ARLO), we actively engage in market research and the development of commercialization strategies. Royalties generated from ARLO licensing agreements are shared between clients, inventors and the institution, in accordance with BCIT’s IP Policy and pertinent sponsored research agreements that govern the particular project. 

Technology and Market Assessments

The Applied Research Liaison Office (ARLO) can assist clients and researchers to align their projects with market needs. This helps BCIT deliver the maximum commercial potential for research contracts. ARLO also performs market assessments for invention disclosures. This is an important step to determine what forms of intellectual property protection are necessary, and whether the project is commercially viable.

Commercialization

ARLO offers support services to entrepreneurs and small to medium sized businesses (SMEs) to help connect them to internal BCIT resources. Most BCIT faculty members work in industry, have industry connections, and have specialized training and education in many industry sectors. BCIT is also home to a number of research centres and specialty lab facilities. BCIT students work on a wide range of projects for industry, from School of Business Directed Studies Business Consulting Projects to Engineering Capstone Projects