WVXU: UC leads Ohio's new approach to intellectual property
David J. Adams, the University of Cincinnati's chief innovation officer, discusses the Ohio IP Promise with Cincinnati Edition's Michael Monks
The Ohio IP Promise, a statewide effort to simplify the process of commercializing faculty-created intellectual property at public universities, is a best practice that was pioneered at the University of Cincinnati.
Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted announced the roll-out of the Ohio IP Promise last month, establishing a statewide, best-in-class process for how universities cultivate the licensing of intellectual property developed by Ohio’s public universities. The initiative aims to strengthen the state’s economy, attract innovative researchers and serve as a magnet for investors and entrepreneurs.
UC Chief Innovation Officer David J. Adams appeared on Cincinnati Edition on Monday, Oct. 14, to discuss what the Ohio IP Promise is and its implications for the state's economy. Adams explained to Cincinnati Edition host Michael Monks that UC and other public universities used to retain all ownership of technological innovations invented by faculty.
The 1819 Innovation Hub. Photo/Greg Glevicky/Office of Innovation
“If you think about an entrepreneur wanting to take something into the marketplace, one of the key things that’s going to be really important to them is who owns that intellectual property," Adams said. "If you’re already restricting ownership up-front, it doesn’t create an environment that supports entrepreneurialism.”
Adams explained that UC's new approach to innovation inspired the creation of a new front door for the university, the 1819 Innovation Hub, where organizations of all sizes — from Fortune 50 companies to individual venture capitalists — can engage with UC faculty, students and resources.
UC's Innovation Agenda is one of three platforms within Next Lives Here, the university's strategic direction, and the 1819 Innovation Hub is a key piece of that agenda.
Innovation Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati, classified as a Research 1 institution by the Carnegie Commission, is ranked in the National Science Foundation's Top-40 public research universities and secured a spot on Reuter’s World’s Most Innovative Universities list. UC's students and faculty investigate problems and innovate solutions with real-world impact. Next Lives Here.
Related Stories
Meet the startup ventures elevating Cincinnati’s scene
April 27, 2026
Cincinnati startup founders pitched concepts ranging from car accident prevention tools to robotics for manufacturing facilities during Venture Lab Demo Day at UC’s 1819 Innovation Hub.
Digital Futures brings fire safety to the screen
April 27, 2026
Fire Escape is a video game created by the Digital Performance Lab in Digital Futures that teaches kids how to survive and escape a house fire. The video game is now available to play in the Cincinnati Fire Museum, and is expanding to other museums across the country.
University of Cincinnati celebrates record number of graduates
April 27, 2026
UC will recognize a record number of graduates at its spring commencement in four ceremonies Thursday at Fifth Third Arena and Friday at Nippert Stadium.