Intellectual Property Policy and Guidelines

Intellectual Property Policy and Guidelines

The Policy was first approved in 1985 to encourage the development and commercialization of inventions arising from University research. Invention rights covered by the Policy include both intellectual property rights (such as patent rights) as well as tangible property rights (such as biological materials). Under the Policy, the net income (gross income less out-of-pocket expenses) for any invention is shared as follows:

50.0% to the inventor(s),
17.5% to the department or research unit,
7.5% to the college or school,
25.0% to the University.

The Policy is administered by the Office of Technology Transfer under the jurisdiction of the Invention and Patent Committee, an eight-person group that includes five faculty members nominated by the Faculty Senate (one of whom serves as chair). The Committee is charged with ensuring that the objectives of the Policy are met, but is not involved in deciding whether the rights to any particular invention are accepted by the University or in selecting commercialization strategies. From time to time, the Committee issues Guidelines to assist in the implementation of the Policy.

Please note: The Policy prohibits inventors from entering into any agreements (such as consulting agreements) that may be contrary to the Policy's objectives, particularly with respect to the preservation of the University's intellectual property rights.