All University personnel have a responsibility to cooperate with the University in patenting, licensing, and otherwise commercializing technology developed during the course of their employment. The University is obligated to work diligently and in good faith to protect marketable technology (usually through patents) and to license or otherwise commercialize the technology owned by the University.

The DTM staff coordinates patent protection, certain technology development activities, technology licensing, establishment of spin-off companies to commercialize University technology, and other activities designed to ensure that society receives the full benefit of technology discovered and developed at the University of Mississippi.

The DTM works very closely with all other divisions of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, including the Vice Chancellor and the University Research Board, regarding University policy related to technology and business development, including the incorporation of faculty incentives and rewards for successful commercialization of University technology.

The University maintains a very liberal policy concerning sharing of royalty income with faculty and staff inventors, which is summarized in the UM Patent and Invention Policy.  The administration of copyrights is covered by the UM Copyright Policy.