Technology Transfer Ombuds

The Technology Transfer Commercialization Act of 2000, Public Law 106-404 (PDF) was enacted in November 2000.  Pursuant to Section 11, Technology Partnerships Ombudsman, each DOE national laboratory and research facility has appointed a technology partnership ombudsman (ombuds).  The role of the ombuds is prevention and early resolution of disputes between the lab and inventors or private companies over technology transfer issues such as infringement, intellectual property rights, royalties and licensing, etc.

The Director, Office of Conflict Prevention and Resolution, coordinates this program and compiles data for quarterly reports. See the Department of Energy Technology Transfer Ombuds (PDF).

Also, see information on the Technology Transfer Coordinator created by the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Title X, (Public Law 109-58), pages 334 through 345 of the PDF version.

The following links are to the Department of Energy Technology Transfer Ombuds websites at the various facilities throughout the DOE complex:

• Ames Laboratory
• Argonne National Laboratory
• Idaho National Laboratory
• Kansas City Plant
• Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
• Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory 
• Los Alamos National Laboratory
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory 
• Oak Ridge National Laboratory
• Sandia National Laboratory
• Y-12 National Security Complex
  
  

The International Ombudsman Association (IOA) - is an international association of professional organizational ombuds.

General Accounting Office's (GAO) Report - The Role of Ombudsmen in Dispute Resolution, April 2001 (PDF).

Standards for the Establishment and Operation of Ombuds Offices - issued February 2004 by the American Bar Association (ABA)