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The Software Specific Challenges in Knowledge Transfer training course provides an in-depth exploration of the unique challenges faced by knowledge transfer offices when dealing with software. This course covers key aspects of software-related intellectual property and commercialisation, including software patents, software license agreements, and the impact of emerging technologies like big data and AI on software innovation.

Participants will be guided through comprehensive licensing strategies, with a focus on open-source licensing and other critical models.

Designed for professionals with at least six months of experience in knowledge transfer, this course offers interactive sessions and case studies, providing practical insights into navigating the complexities of software commercialisation. The programme is ideal for those looking to enhance their ability to manage software IP and drive innovation within their institutions.

Why join this course?
Understand the fast-past developments and resulting challenges of software and which factors to be aware of when considering the basics will be addressed during the 3-day course. In addition, you will explore designing business models, marketing channels and software-based spin-offs. The course is highly interactive and includes interactive learning exercises and case studies.

Learning Objectives

  • Develop your literacy in software and computer implemented inventions
  • Understand the implications of software development for due diligence and licensing
  • Create a strategy for licensing, recognising the opportunities and limitations open-source licenses
  • Design business models around software and computer-implemented inventions, and how to scale them
  • Identify and align, with a specific business model, different market channels; such as: apps, cloud, licensing models, hardware, software

Course Topics

  • Software terminology
  • Due diligence in software-implemented inventions
  • Alternative IP forms for software
  • Open-source software
  • Software-specific terms in license agreements
  • Market channels available
  • Business models in software
  • Software-based spin-offs
  • Programme
  • Speakers
  • Venue

Programme

  • Wed 22 January 2025

    • 09:00 - 09:30    Course introduction

    • 09:30 - 10:30    First evaluation (intellectual asset inventory)

      In this session, you will learn software-specific intellectual property issues and challenges including common mistakes and hygiene factors. We shall address software specific issues and challenges, and learn which questions to ask when you check a software invention disclosure. This also gives insight to software-specific challenges and what to look for in the development of a case.

    • 10:30 - 11:00    Coffee Break

    • 11:00 - 12:00    Software Intellectual Property rights

      In this session, you will learn the fundamentals of the different kinds of IP that apply to software and how to protect them. We will be looking at patents, copyright, and database rights.

      Most of us will be familiar with patent protection but with software this is not always straightforward and other, perhaps less familiar, forms of IP protection may be more appropriate.

    • 12:00 - 13:00    Open source licensing

      The objective of this session is to learn how to deal with the opportunities and limitations of open source and creative commons including the legal aspects, and the business advantages and disadvantages.

      We will dive into the various forms of open source that are available and review how these will affect our business case.

      What if the invention contains elements of open source with limitations on commercial exploitation?

      What needs to be considered to ensure that we still have a valid business case?

    • 13:00 - 14:00    Lunch

    • 14:00 - 15:30    Patentability of software/ computer-implemented inventions: views from Europe and the US

      This session will help you understand the specific challenges in computer-implemented inventions, and the different views from Europe and the US.

      The European Patent Office released new examination guidelines in relation to Artificial Intelligence and Simulation-related Inventions. Meanwhile, in the US, new court cases have been changing the understanding of what can be patented.

    • 15:30 - 16:00    Coffee Break

    • 16:00 - 17:00    Case study

      The objective of this session is to run through a realistic invention disclosure scenario. We shall start from the first contact with the disclosure, through to the first level of due diligence in two software cases.

    • 17:00 - 17:30    Case study feedback

    • 17:30 - 17:45    Round up of day 1

    • 19:30 - 22:00    Networking dinner

  • Thu 23 January 2025

    • 09:00 - 10:00    The software lifecycle

      This session is intended to instruct you in the concept of a software lifecycle and key points for KT intervention.

      We will look at the classic software development and exploitation lifecycle and address some common terms and issues that are specific for this model.

    • 10:00 - 10:45    Channels to market: apps, cloud, licensing models, hardware/software bundles

      The objective of this session is to understand the various channels that can be used to market software-based inventions. We shall review a number of channels that can be used to get software to market and get an understanding of the criteria required for each route, which ones are preferable and under what boundary conditions.

    • 10:45 - 11:15    Coffee Break

    • 11:15 - 12:15    Business models: making money

      Understand how to turn your software into a viable business. The session will focus on the various possibilities that are available with software-specific angles. Which challenges will you face in terms of : marketing, payment models, regulations and restrictions, and required personnel?

    • 12:15 - 13:15    Practical cases of business models in software deals

      The objective of this session is to look at examples of software businesses to understand what led to their success. It is important to learn from others but without the proper understanding of the settings and why things worked out, the information is less useful. Participants will look into well-known successes, learn about their challenges and understand how they managed to turn their business into an international success.

    • 13:15 - 14:15    Lunch

    • 14:15 - 15:15    Business model case study

      The objective of this session is to get the feeling for which business models can be used to market software. You will be asked to apply what you have learned today, and analyse a number of business models from a set of well-known examples.

    • 15:15 - 16:00    Data in university IP

      The increasing prevalence of digital innovation pushes the limits of established KT activities. The objective of this session is to understand the role of data in university IP. We will look at what ‘data’ is, which IP rights can protect it, and how to address data ownership and use. Further we will explore strategies for making data available, data valuation and how to retain control of data, illustrated by a case study.

    • 16:00 - 16:30    Coffee Break

    • 16:30 - 17:30    Artificial Intelligence and Data Management

      With Artificial Intelligence rapidly gaining importance, how are we as KTOs, used to working with inventions and software, adapting to deal with it?

      The objective of this session is to understand the limitations of the classical IP regime when it comes to dealing with AI and data in research and development collaborations as well as KT activities.

      What are the implications for deal making when AI is involved?

    • 17:30 - 17:45    Round up of day 2

  • Fri 24 January 2025

    • 09:00 - 10:30    Digital start-up

    • 10:30 - 11:00    Coffee Break

    • 11:00 - 12:30    Spin outs: the investor’s perspective: investment manager

      In this session, an investor will give his perspective on a software-driven business and address issues such as ROI opportunities, time to market, liability risks, building the right team, and market entry thresholds.

    • 12:30 - 12:45    Course wrap up

    • 12:45 - 13:45    Lunch

Speakers

Venue

Venue - Calipolis Hotel Sitges

Av. Sofia, 2, Sitges 08870, Spain

Room Rates at Calipolis Hotel
Single occupancy : €130.00 per night inclusive of breakfast
Double occupancy : €150.00 per night inclusive of breakfast

  • Local Tourist Tax 1,32€ per person/day not included
  • Participants must make their booking through hotel website with the promotion code ASTP2025.
  • The room is subject to availability.

In the event that Calipolis Hotel is fully booked, please find below other hotels in the neighbourhood. Please note ASTP does not have special arrangement with these hotels.

  1. Hotel MIM Sitges (next door from Calipolis Hotel)
  2. Hotel Kalma Sitges (100m from Calipolis Hotel)
  3. Hotel Subur (280m from Calipolis Hotel)
  4. Hotel Ibersol Atemare (800m from Calipolis Hotel)
  5. Hotel Sitges (800m from Calipolis Hotel)
  6. Hotel Subur Maritim (1km from Calipolis Hotel)


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What people say about us

ASTP corroborates the strong need for profound insights and exchanges on practices, instruments and competencies that cut across functional, organisational, institutional, sectorial and geographic boundaries.

Koenraad Debackere
Koenraad Debackere - KU Leuven, Belgium

What people say about us

I learned more in the training course for 3 days than I did in the last 3 months at my job. The lectures were informative & interesting.

Hanna Sonnig
Hanna Sonnig - Setterwalls Advokatbyrå, Sweden

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Organisation and speakers were great, so enthusiastic about their work and very good at transferring their knowledge.

Sarka Bartova
Sarka Bartova - Research Centre Rez, Czech Republic

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ASTP brought the right structure and terminology to my knowledge of technology licensing.

René Widmer
René Widmer - ETH Transfer, Switzerland

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The course exceeded my expectations. We exchanged experiences and learned different options of approaches to existing problems.

Patricia Lima
Patricia Lima - Instituto Superior Technico, Portugal

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Most relevant, interesting and practical training I have ever had, very interactive an multi-disciplinary. It makes an IMPACT.

Edith van Lishout
Edith van Lishout - KU Leuven, Belgium

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ASTP Conference offers great networking and learning opportunities;  a chance to share knowledge with colleagues from various areas of expertise.

Bruno Woeran
Bruno Woeran - Merinova OY - TII President, Finland

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International presence is amazing, so many countries, universities... represented here!!

Christian Massus
Christian Massus - SATT Aquitaine, France

What people say about us

As always, superb topics and inspirational speakers. Great networking. Well worth the time out of the office!!! Great work HQ, thank you.

Peter Deakin
Peter Deakin - Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden

What people say about us

This course gives an in-depth understanding on managing contract portfolio, including research contracts, license agreements, and other collaboration agreements.

Ram Siddappa
Ram Siddappa - Erasmus MC, Netherlands

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Most experienced technology transfer crew in the Europe.

Krzysztof Maternicki
Krzysztof Maternicki - Jan Dlugosz University, Poland

What people say about us

Just perfect 3 days full of information and perfect communication.

Petr Kubečka
Petr Kubečka - Palacký University Olomouc, Czech Republic

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The course Software Specific Challenges is a must for every TTO/KTO professional, especially for those working with Social Sciences and Humanities!

Brechtje Vreenegoor
Brechtje Vreenegoor - Radboud University, Netherlands

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Fruitful discussion.

Cecile Henrich-Burkhardt
Cecile Henrich-Burkhardt - Technical University of Munich, Germany

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Technology transfer is ever changing and a key piece for the competitiveness of your institution, this course is an excellent tool to prepare yourself for that challenge.

Ricardo Castro
Ricardo Castro - Centre for research in agricultural Genomics, Spain

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I am happy to be able to share my own experiences with other colleagues via various courses, and I enjoy every moment I can spend in this network. Proud to be part of the ASTP community!

Paul van Dun
Paul van Dun - KU Leuven, Belgium

What people say about us

Thank you for such enjoyable inspiring event, great choice of the lecturers!!!

Linda Ondrackova
Linda Ondrackova - University of Pardubice, Czech Republic

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Recent studies on both sides of the Atlantic, directed by either ASTP or AUTM, demonstrate the tremendous economic and societal benefit and value technology transfer has brought us.

Koenraad Debackere
Koenraad Debackere - KU Leuven, Belgium

What people say about us

A lot of fruitful discussions with experienced peers. Very helpful sessions.

Sara Matt-Leubner
Sara Matt-Leubner - University of Innsbruck, Austria

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The event had something to offer all members of the TT community from entry level to mid-career and beyond.

John Gleeson
John Gleeson - University of Limerick, Ireland

What people say about us

Was great to meet counterparts in my profession who may share my experiences, but who may also have other ideas and approaches.

Tim Moser
Tim Moser - Netherlands Cancer Institute, Netherlands

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I had a great experience and met high profile professionals.

Antonio Menegatti
Antonio Menegatti - Politecnico di Milano, Italy

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This was the right decision giving me the broadest overview, confidence, tools, network and support that is fundamental to feel right in my daily decision process and to keep on learning.

Ricardo Castro
Ricardo Castro - Centre for research in agricultural Genomics, Spain

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The best opportunity to learn and discuss common issues and interests directly with peers.

Ian Nicoud
Ian Nicoud - LURIS, Netherlands

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One very long and hard day, but very useful for my work in TTO.

Petr Kubečka
Petr Kubečka - Palacký University Olomouc, Czech Republic

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Exciting training, even after almost 10 hours I am curious about more experience and knowledge.

Petr Suchomel
Petr Suchomel - Palacký University Olomouc, Czech Republic

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The experts, the specific content and the informal setting will improve you as a professional.

Brechtje Vreenegoor
Brechtje Vreenegoor - Radboud Universteit, Netherlands

What people say about us

This course gives an in-depth understanding on managing contract portfolio, including research contracts, license agreements, and other collaboration agreements.

Ram Siddappa
Ram Siddappa - Erasmus MC, Netherlands

What people say about us

Perfect place to meet colleagues and share experiences on Technology Transfer.

Lidia Aguilera
Lidia Aguilera - University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg

What people say about us

Good opportunity to discuss common issues with fellow professionals and to get updates about the community.

Giuseppe Visimberga
Giuseppe Visimberga - Leiden University, Netherlands

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Perfect balance of learning and networking.

Smiljka Vikic-Topic
Smiljka Vikic-Topic - University of Zagreb, Croatia

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ASTP has excellent courses to immerse yourself into the world of tech transfer.

Qing Cai
Qing Cai - Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium

What people say about us

It was great to experience the uncomplicated and fruitful exchange with colleagues from all over Europe, as well as the positive professional spirit of this conference.

Franck Döbrich
Franck Döbrich - Universitat des Saarlandes WuT GmbH, Germany

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ASTP Annual conference is a unique opportunity to take time to exchange best practices among TT professionals and to network at an EU level.

Cécile Cavalade
Cécile Cavalade - ULB TTO, Belgium

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It is always encouraging to see that other TTOs are encountering the same problems that we do!

Aurore De Boom
Aurore De Boom - Université Libré de Bruxelle, Belgium

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ASTP has attained a unique position that has turned it into a highly valued player on the global technology transfer scene.

Koenraad Debackere
Koenraad Debackere - KU Leuven, Belgium

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Starting or changing any procedure at a TTO/Institution is challenging and I could not think of anything better than learning with the best.

Ricardo Castro
Ricardo Castro - Centre for research in agricultural Genomics, Spain

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Excellent organisation, multifarious activities, great atmosphere… I can't say enough about how well it is tailored to the needs of technology transfer professions.

Tamara Čolić Milosavljević
Tamara Čolić Milosavljević - Centre of Technology Transfer - University of Belgrade, Serbia

What people say about us

This is a wonderful conference to expand the horizon of my knowledge of tech transfer and commercialisation.

Seung-Ho Lee
Seung-Ho Lee - Deltatech-Korea, South Korea

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Three days of learning and networking in Dublin at ASTP annual conference. What a great event!!

Sandra Aresta
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The new website signals this pioneering, resonating role and is a tribute to the many accomplishments and innovations European TTO’s have generated and implemented over many years, thus strengthening both our economy and society.

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Koenraad Debackere - KU Leuven, Belgium

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Great atmosphere to learn and to share experiences.

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Maria Ruiz Novales - Interface-Enterprises - University of Liege, Belgium

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Excellent professional gathering, perfect collection of topics and very up-to-date insight.

Ludovic Urgeghe
Ludovic Urgeghe - University of Mons, Belgium

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Great networking, new knowledge and inspiration!

Jonas Rimbäck
Jonas Rimbäck - University of Gothenburg, Sweden

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The software training filled in the many blanks and brought my 'fractioned' knowledge in a structured way. Very useful!

Ilse Sienaert
Ilse Sienaert - KU Leuven R&D, Belgium

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A must-do for any staff involved in technology transfer and start-up creation.

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Frederic Ratel - Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia, Spain

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ASTP's conference helped us to network with decision-makers in the technology transfer industry and provides a great platform to discuss future innovation in this sector.

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Always simply inspiring! That is ASTP.

Filip Auinger
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From day one ASTP has been a tremendous help. Learning throughs seminars and workshops or meeting peers for discussions, there is always someone around to exchange ideas with.

Paul van Dun
Paul van Dun - KU Leuven, Belgium

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I strongly recommend the course, even if you are not going to set-up an office but you are part of the team that wants to change or improve how technology transfer is done at your institution.

Ricardo Castro
Ricardo Castro - Centre for research in agricultural Genomics, Spain

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I really like the course and the networking. I would like to come again.

Nancy Goel
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Brechtje Vreenegoor
Brechtje Vreenegoor - Radboud University, Netherlands

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Great networking and learning opportunities to share knowledge with colleagues from their various areas of expertise.

Bruno Woeran
Bruno Woeran - Merinova OY - TII President, Finland

What people say about us

There was ample opportunity to learn from colleagues through the workshop sessions or more formally through speakers either sharing their years of experience or their state of the art research. Well worth attending.

John Gleeson
John Gleeson - University of Limerick, Ireland

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The expert-panel discussion educated me in strategic and meritorious choice of inventions to approach investors and manage investment funds for establishing a spin off.  

Ram Siddappa
Ram Siddappa - Erasmus MC, Netherlands

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Working and Learning with old and new friends – best way to do it!

Sara Matt-Leubner
Sara Matt-Leubner - University of Innsbruck, Austria

What people say about us

The software course has provided invaluable information as our TTO expands to take on software cases.

Tom Withnell
Tom Withnell - University of Vienna, Austria