1935
After many years of administering Frederick Cottrell’s patent for the electrostatic precipitator, Research Corporation staff realized they had gained invaluable skills in patent administration. In 1935, the Foundation established an official Invention Administration Program and patent management became a dominant function of the organization. In 1937, Research Corporation and MIT signed an exclusive agreement in which Research Corporation would obtain, manage and pursue infringements of MIT’s patents.
In 1946, Research Corporation was managing patents for five universities; by 1980, that number had reached over 280 universities and organizations. But the Patent and Trademarks Amendment of 1980 (commonly known as the Bayh-Dole act) prompted many universities to begin administering their own patents, greatly impacting RC’s patent management component.
In 1987, Research Corporation’s patent administration program was separated from the Foundation and formed a totally separate entity, Research Corporation Technologies. RCT has managed, among many others, the patents for Cisplatin and Carboplatin, Fullerenes, and Silver Sulfadiazine burn ointment.