Put the Outlet Mall In an Urban Setting

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

In response to the news story about placing a mall in Hanover, I offer this: No more malls unless they are within the city limits. Why not place that outlet mall downtown -- where the Coliseum now stands? A mall there would be close to Interstates 95 and 64, as well as to the Convention Center and several hotels and would not require as much new infrastructure.

Unlike the 6th Street Marketplace, outlets would not be dependent upon an anchor department store (although we could use one of those too) and would appeal to a cross-section of people. Richmond could be a pioneer in its placement of an outlet mall in an urban setting and the project would further what should be a regional goal of attracting both tourists and residents downtown. Our historical sites, the James River, and our many restaurants would benefit.

Why not? We've tried everything else and I personally would appreciate not having to drive to Henrico or Chesterfield every time I need a pair of sheets or shoes.

Lesley Bruno. Richmond.

Hillary Didn't Get Spot -- Maybe Next Time

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

The Op/Ed column, "Don't Get Mad -- Get Even," by Ellen Goodman continues the theme that American white women have been disenfranchised by Hillary Clinton's recent lost candidacy -- despite the fact that there have been dozens of women elected to Congress since they were franchised to vote in 1921.

They continue to believe it is time for a woman president and they jolly well deserve one now, regardless of Hillary's legacy of deceit, exaggerations, and disingenuousness. Her primary pitch was that she was more experienced because she was the wife of President Bill Clinton for eight years, four of which were squandered by his own deceit.

Many of our citizenry believe they deserve more than they have earned. They still believe in instant gratification of most desires, regardless of their personal investment or costs. As Goodman summarizes, "getting even requires winning respect" and "is the best revenge." Maybe next time.

Stanley Elmore. Richmond.

Philip Morris-VCU Deal Is Not Unusual

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

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.

Rather than patent intellectual property, the sponsor may wish to keep valuable results as a trade secret such as, for example, the formula for Coca-Cola. There was a time, but it was long ago, when university-based research was completely open to everyone. But today most research is very expensive and is sponsored by companies or by government agencies, and sometimes results have commercial implications that the sponsor must protect.

All universities have offices of technology transfer that manage the intellectual property created at that university, including the licensing of that property from which the university collects royalties. One might imagine that research projects supported by a federal agency would be open to all since, after all, the research was paid for with taxpayer dollars. But even that is not so.

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.

Henry A. McGee Jr., Founding Dean Emeritus and

Professor of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, VCU. Richmond.

Editor's note: A Times-Dispatch story by David Ress reported that the arrangement between Philip Morris and VCU is typical of research arrangements at other universities.