Disclosure

After research, the inventor’s first step in the commercialization process is to submit an invention disclosure form to OTC. An invention disclosure form is a written confidential description of an invention. It addresses the technological aspects of the invention or technology, as well as its legal matters such as IP ownership and encumbrances. The disclosure should list all collaborating sources of support and include all of the information necessary to begin pursuing protection, marketing, and commercialization activities. After the disclosure is submitted, and is checked for completeness, the inventor enables OTC to offer support and assistance throughout the commercialization process. Once OTC receives your invention disclosure, the office will contact you to confirm, then assign a specific number to your invention or technology.

The ownership of inventions made while consulting for an outside company depends on the terms of your consulting contract. It is important to clearly define the scope of work within consulting contracts to minimize any issues with ownership of inventions created from University research. If you have questions, the OTC staff are available for informal advice.