Technology Transfer & IP Protection for Universities
Comprehensive intellectual property management services designed for academic institutions—from faculty inventions to student innovations and collaborative research.
Comprehensive University IP Services
From invention disclosure to commercialization, we support every stage of academic IP management.
Faculty Inventions
Protect and commercialize research breakthroughs from your faculty members.
- Invention disclosure review
- Patentability assessment
- Prior art searches
- Patent drafting & filing
- Licensing negotiations
Student Innovations
Support student entrepreneurs in protecting their thesis projects and startup ideas.
- Student IP education
- Provisional patent filing
- Startup IP strategy
- Competition preparation
- Mentorship programs
Technology Transfer
Bridge the gap between academic research and commercial applications.
- Market analysis
- Licensee identification
- Term sheet negotiation
- Agreement drafting
- Royalty management
Collaborative Research
Manage IP rights in multi-party research collaborations and consortiums.
- Joint ownership agreements
- Industry partnership IP
- Government contract IP
- Consortium management
- Background IP audits
IP Policy Development
Create comprehensive IP policies aligned with university mission and funding requirements.
- Policy framework design
- Ownership guidelines
- Revenue sharing models
- Conflict of interest policies
- Compliance procedures
Spin-off Support
Guide university spin-offs through IP licensing and equity arrangements.
- Spin-off IP strategy
- Exclusive licensing
- Equity negotiations
- Founder agreements
- Investment readiness
University IP Workflow
From invention disclosure to commercialization, we guide you through every step.
Invention Disclosure
Faculty or students submit invention disclosures through our streamlined portal. We provide guidance on documentation requirements and initial assessment.
Evaluation & Prior Art
Our team conducts comprehensive patentability analysis and prior art searches across global databases to assess novelty and commercial potential.
IP Strategy Development
We develop a tailored protection strategy considering publication timelines, funding requirements, and commercialization pathways.
Patent Drafting & Filing
Expert patent attorneys draft comprehensive applications. We handle provisional, utility, and international (PCT) filings as appropriate.
Prosecution & Grant
We manage office action responses and examiner communications to secure the strongest possible patent protection.
Commercialization
From licensee identification to spin-off formation, we help transform your IP into revenue-generating assets.
Research Funding IP Compliance
Navigate complex funding requirements with confidence.
Government Grants
Ensure compliance with federal funding agency requirements for IP disclosure and management.
- NIH/NSF reporting requirements
- Bayh-Dole Act compliance
- iEdison system management
- March-in rights considerations
- Annual invention reporting
Industry Partnerships
Structure IP arrangements in sponsored research and collaborative agreements.
- Sponsored research agreements
- Joint development IP terms
- Option & license structures
- Background IP protection
- Publication review protocols
International Funding
Manage IP obligations across international research collaborations and funding.
- EU Horizon compliance
- Cross-border IP ownership
- Export control considerations
- International filing strategies
- Multi-jurisdictional licensing
Foundation Grants
Navigate IP requirements from private foundations and nonprofit funders.
- Foundation IP policies
- Open access requirements
- Global access provisions
- Social impact licensing
- Reporting obligations
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about university IP management.
University IP ownership typically depends on institutional policy, employment agreements, and funding sources. Generally, IP created using university resources or within the scope of employment is owned by the institution. However, specific policies vary—some universities allow faculty to retain certain rights, especially for copyrightable works like textbooks.
We help universities develop clear ownership policies and manage the disclosure process to ensure all parties understand their rights and obligations.
The Bayh-Dole Act allows universities to retain ownership of inventions made with federal funding, but comes with obligations including timely disclosure, election of title, filing decisions, and preference for US manufacturing. Non-compliance can result in loss of rights.
We ensure your institution meets all Bayh-Dole requirements including iEdison reporting deadlines and march-in rights considerations.
Publication before filing can destroy patent rights in most countries. The US provides a one-year grace period, but other major markets like Europe, China, and Japan have absolute novelty requirements—any public disclosure before filing can bar patent protection.
We work with faculty to coordinate publication and filing timelines, often using provisional applications to secure priority dates before conference presentations or paper submissions.
Revenue sharing models vary by institution but commonly involve splits between the inventor(s), department, and university administration after deducting IP protection and commercialization costs. Typical inventor shares range from 25-50% of net licensing revenue.
We help design equitable revenue sharing policies that incentivize disclosure while supporting institutional research missions.
Student contributions to inventions require careful documentation. Students may be joint inventors if they contribute to the conception of patentable claims. Universities should have clear policies and agreements addressing student IP rights before research begins.
We help establish student IP agreements and ensure proper inventorship determination for all contributors.
Industry-sponsored research typically involves negotiated IP terms balancing sponsor investment with university interests. Common structures include sponsor options to license, first negotiation rights, or field-of-use restrictions while preserving university rights to use inventions for research and education.
We help negotiate sponsor agreements that protect university interests while maintaining attractive collaboration opportunities.
Ready to Protect Your Research?
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