This Is How Begoña Gómez Appropriated the Software Funded by Ucm

Complutense University of Madrid has confirmed that it never registered the software developed for the extraordinary chair of Competitive Social Transformation, co-directed by Begoña Gómez.

Although it was conceived as university property, the tool ended up on a website registered in the name of the president's wife.

The software was developed with the funding and collaboration of companies like Indra, Google, Telefónica and Making Science.

Its purpose was to measure the social and ecological impact of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). However, instead of remaining under UCM's ownership as planned, it was hosted on the website www.transformatsc.org, whose ownership was in the name of Begoña Gómez.

Lack of Registration and Request for Information

Complutense has informed Judge Peinado that there is no record of this software in favor of the university in the Intellectual Property Registry.

However, UCM's Office of Research Results Transfer has revealed that Gómez requested information about "website and trademark registrations".

Although the university has no record of any actions taken following these inquiries, Begoña Gómez registered "Transforma" and "TSC" in her name.

These names matched those used for the chair, the software and one of the associated master's programs. Additionally, she created the company Transforma TSC, S.L., which reinforced her control over the project.

Cost of the Software and Incomplete Registration Process

The development of this software had an approximate cost of 300,000 euros. An email dated February 24, 2023 revealed details about its registration.

Two officials from Complutense's Patents section sent a form to Begoña Gómez and Moncloa's advisor, Cristina Álvarez.

The document was necessary to register the invention in the Intellectual Property Registry of the Community of Madrid, but the process was never completed.

The application indicated that Pedro Sánchez's wife would be listed as a co-author of the program, which caused controversy over its ownership.

This process, however, was never completed. For now, there is no record that UCM has claimed ownership of the software, which according to the terms of its development, should belong to the university.

The website where the tool was offered ceased to be operational on September 20. To date, it has not been clarified who currently holds the rights to this software, which was funded with private resources but linked to a public institution.

Debate on the Management of University Resources

The case has sparked an intense debate about the management of resources at UCM and transparency in projects funded with mixed funds.

Various intellectual property experts have stated that, under normal circumstances, software developed within a university with external and public resources should remain under the ownership of the academic institution.

Opposition parties have requested explanations from the Government and Complutense University to clarify why the software was allowed to end up registered in the name of Begoña Gómez.

Meanwhile, some student associations have called for greater clarity in the management of university projects funded by private companies.

The investigation is ongoing and Judge Peinado could summon UCM officials and the chair's team to testify.

Pending further details, the case questions the boundary between public and private in the management of university resources.