Research & Innovation is the part of the University which explores routes for commercialising the intellectual property arising from the University's knowledge and technology base.
Its responsibilities include the protection of IP and the subsequent generation of income either through licenses or royalties involving new or existing businesses.
Innovation Ulster Ltd is the legal entity wholly owned by the University which holds and manages the patents, equity and license agreements that relate to start-up businesses, on behalf of the University.
IP Toolkit for Universities
The Intellectual Property Office have developed a Toolkit for Academics and Students to help understand IP.
To access visit IP Toolkit for Universities.
Intellectual Property Policy
Process
Publish or Patent
There is somewhat of a push-pull between the desire of an academic to publish exciting new data and the possibility of obtaining patent protection of the new data for future commercial development or exploitation.
From the moment that your research findings are published the University is very much limited as to the level of patent protection it can secure for you. e.g. you would not be able to secure patent protection in regions / countries such as Europe and New Zealand. Some countries, such as the USA, Canada and Japan, allow a grace period within which inventors can still patent their invention even after having published it.
In principle, results can be readily published as soon as a patent application is filed. However, remember that no part of your " invention" can be disclosed before the patent application is filed. Publication can include:-
- a scientific publication
- a lecture
- an exhibition
- a poster
- a presentation or
- any other kind of public disclosure - anywhere in the world
If you are planning to publish your research findings and feel that your data may have significant future commercial potential then you should approach a member of the Innovation Services Team well in advance of any proposed publication deadline to discuss the various options that might be available to you.
If made aware of your intentions, the Office of Innovation can quickly, if required, file a provisional patent application to offer some future protection.
Considerable efforts should be made to make sure that any patent application is as complete as is possible and that if any extra work needs to be done that it can be carried out, without any hitches, within the following non-extendable 12 month period.
A plan of work should be mapped out with the Innovation Services Team to ensure that the further experimental work needed is timely carried out, to allow the University time to decide on whether foreign filing is warranted.
If you have any queries regarding this issue please contact Sinead Hunter or any member of the Innovation Services Team.