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• LETTER: Philip Morris-VCU Deal Is Not Unusual 

Criticism of VCU has appeared in the press recently concerning arrangements for publication of results from university research that has been supported by Philip Morris. Recognizing that it is popular in some quarters to blast big tobacco or big oil or big pharma, arrangements for delayed publication of research that may have commercial value is commonplace at all universities, for it is an essential step to protect patent rights. . . .

Congress realized that intellectual property owned by everyone was in fact owned by no one, and the subsequent development of that property for the benefit of us all would never occur. The Bayh-Dole Act ensured that intellectual property created with taxpayer dollars would be owned by the university, not by the government, and all issues of patenting and development and licensing are the responsibility of the university.

As incentive to the professor leading the research, the university pays a generous fraction of the income from licensing directly to the professor as additional personal income. The relationship between VCU and Philip Morris and other companies is to be applauded, for it contributes real value to our society and it inspires students.

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