The Licensing Process
CU’s technology commercialization process begins with an inventor’s or researcher’s idea and is deemed successful when it enters the marketplace as a product or service. Each step in the process is critical and follows a timeline that depends on a variety of factors: quality of the disclosure, interest of industry partners, and resources available for invention development and protection.
Ownership of Intellectual Property
According to the university's Policy on Patents and Inventions, inventions and software that are created as part of the research process are owned by the university. Circumstances associated with intellectual property ownership are complex and company representatives are encouraged to talk to TTO or a Sponsored Research Program officer prior to engaging a faculty member in research or consulting.
Disclosure
The university’s Policy on Patents and Inventions requires researchers' disclosure of inventions and discoveries. The process begins with submission of an Invention Disclosure Form to TTO, which requires a complete description of the invention, relevant background information, dated signatures of all inventors, and other relevant details.
Invention Evaluation
TTO reviews invention disclosures and interviews the inventor(s) in order to develop a clear understanding of the invention’s technical merit, patentability or protectability, and commercial potential. The evaluation process also determines whether funds will be expended to patent an invention and serves as the foundation for the commercialization strategy.
Intellectual Property Protection
Patenting is the most common way to protect CU’s intellectual property. Other methods include confidential disclosure agreements, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. |
