Technology transfer is the process of transferring technology from its place of origin to wider distribution. It occurs across universities, businesses, governments, and borders. The key steps in the technology transfer process are invention, disclosure, assessment, protection, marketing, and licensing. Some common ways of transferring technology are licensing, support contracts, franchising, management contracts, and joint ventures. The advantages include competitive advantage, research and development, more customers, and economic growth. The disadvantages are increased dependency, loss of jobs to automation, and intellectual property issues. Several Indian institutes assist with technology transfer, such as the Asia Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology.