University autonomy, freedom of research, technology transfer, intellectual property rights, higher education law

This study explores the evolving dynamics of university autonomy and the freedom of research considering increasing expectations for technology transfer within higher education institutions. Focusing on Hungary, Austria (Styria), and Germany (Brandenburg), the paper provides a comparative legal analysis of how these Central European jurisdictions reconcile traditional academic freedoms with the modern entrepreneurial role of universities. It addresses how constitutional provisions, higher education laws, and patent regulations shape institutional and individual rights in the context of academic capitalism. By analysing legal frameworks and key court decisions, the study tensions between institutional autonomy and researchers’ rights, particularly regarding intellectual property and administrative governance. The findings suggest that while Brandenburg provides a model of integration between legal clarity and institutional support for innovation, Hungary and Austria reveal gaps in the horizontal protection of academic freedoms and the legal recognition of researchers' roles in knowledge commercialization.

STIPKOVITS, TAMÁS ISTVÁN