U of T Invention and Copyright Disclosure Process
At the University of Toronto, research discoveries and certain copyright works are disclosed as defined by University Policy. As part of your contract of employment with the University, you are obligated to file a disclosure as soon as your research is clearly conceptualized and reduced to practice. Filing a disclosure documents the circumstances under which the invention or work occurred and provides the information necessary to evaluate inventorship or authorship, patentability, and obligations to research sponsors outside the university. Filing a disclosure also provides an opportunity to explore the possibility of commercializing the results of the research.
What do I have to disclose?
You are under obligation to disclose any inventions or works created at the University and/or with the use of University resources (including research funding and equipment). If the work that led to the invention was not done at the University (i.e. at one of the hospitals affiliated with U of T) or did not use any resources of the University, please contact the appropriate hospital research office.
When do I file a disclosure?
Early disclosure to the University is encouraged to allow time for ownership to be determined and patentability assessed. Disclosures should be filed as soon as the invention or work is clearly conceptualized or as soon as you can fully describe your new product or process so that someone else familiar with the field could use it immediately. You absolutely must disclose before you plan to sell, license, or otherwise assign your invention or encumbered copyright material.
How do I file a disclosure?
To file a disclosure:
- For an invention disclosure: Download and fill out the Confidential Invention Disclosure Form. Use our disclosure guide to help you fill out the form.
For a copyright disclosure: Download and fill out the Confidential Copyright Disclosure Form. - Carefully consider who should be named as inventors or authors, the funding sources for the invention or work, and any other agreements (for example, material transfer or confidentiality agreements) that may relate to the invention or work.
- Have all inventors sign the form.
- Submit the original, signed form to the Intellectual Property Officer
Okay, I filed a disclosure. Now what?
Still unsure? Our Intellectual Property Officer can help you with all steps of the disclosure process.
