The Bayh–Dole Act has been remarkably successful in promoting the transfer of technology in the USA from federally funded research labs to the private sector. Although other governments are now looking to Bayh–Dole as a model, most of this interest has been limited to developed countries. This article examines the potential benefits of the Bayh–Dole framework for developing countries – both for local industries and to generate revenue for local non-profit research labs. It also proposes initiatives that the USA should undertake to help developing countries to establish the rules and institutional mechanisms necessary to promote technology transfer in their own countries.
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