Ownership of IP

What is ownership of IP?

Ownership of intellectual property (IP) refers to the legal rights and control that an individual or entity has over creations of the mind, such as inventions, designs, trademarks, and artistic works.

  • Understanding ownership is crucial: Ownership is vital for protecting and commercializing intellectual property.
  • Establish Ownership Through:

         1. Contracts.
         2. Employment Agreements.
         3. Intellectual Property Registrations.

  • Clarity is Essential: Disputes over ownership are complex and costly, emphasizing the need for clarity from the outset.
  • Protect and Leverage: Clear ownership is essential for safeguarding and leveraging intellectual property assets.
  • Seek Legal Advice: Intellectual property attorneys provide invaluable guidance in ensuring clear ownership rights.
    Contact the TTO to discuss ownership of inventions. 
Research Projects

An institution or organization owns the inventions made or created by the faculty, students, staff, and others who participate in research (sponsored or otherwise) projects or other programs using funds or facilities from the Institute. Contact the TTO to discuss ownership of inventions.

Please use the invention disclosure form to submit invention disclosures.

Consulting

Usually Institutions do not own inventions that are not developed through a sponsored research project or other agreement, or with significant use of funds or facilities of the Institutes. You should make the nature of your assignment clear to any third party for whom you expect to consult. It is important to consult the Consultancy policy of your institute to clearly define the scope of work for consulting assignments to minimize any conflicts. Any questions regarding the Consulting inventions may be directed to the TTO.

Personally Owned Inventions

Any faculty members or student or staff member may own their personally created invention independent of the organization they are working for. The invention can be commercialized using TTO’s guidance only if the inventor enters in to an agreement with the TTO. If the TTO accepts the invention, it will be handled in the same manner as other inventions, with the usual royalty-sharing arrangements.