ANU

The commercialisation of new technologies cannot proceed without clear ownership of intellectual property rights. The future of silicon cell technology invented by academics at the Australian National University (ANU) rested on bringing difficult negotiations to a win-win conclusion.

Corrs’ representation of ANU demanded a deep understanding of the technology; sensitivity to the inventors’ personal, and the University’s wider, interests; and the skills to keep things moving during two years of delicate negotiations.

Since issues of ownership and future collaboration have been resolved, Origin Energy has entered into a joint venture with one of the world’s largest semiconductor fabricators in a deal that will bring many millions of dollars in licensing revenue to ANU over the coming years and see the technology become a success on the world stage.