Research

Congratulations on your new disclosure! Here’s what happens next.

… behind the scenes:

Your departmental chair, the Vice-Dean of Research for your Faculty, and MaRS Innovation will receive a confidential notice of your new disclosure comprising only the names of the inventors and the title.

Where the intellectual property is not encumbered by previous sponsor rights, IPO will perform an assessment of the commercialization potential of your invention, including patentability, market opportunity and state of development of the technology. IPO uses a team approach to assessment; your invention will be reviewed by IPO’s cross-disciplinary teams, and under confidentiality by MaRS Innovation and potentially other experts. IPO will contact you during this assessment stage and if there is commercialization potential invention, will work with you to determine appropriate ownership.

… the next step for you:

The next step for you is to determine the ownership of the disclosure. Initially, inventions are jointly owned by the University and the inventors. After filing a disclosure, you as the inventor may choose to assign the invention to the University or take personal ownership providing the terms of a prior agreement do not restrict that choice. The ownership decision made will apply to all inventors listed on the disclosure.

If you assign to the University, (IPO) will take responsibility for commercialization of the invention. IPO will perform an assessment of your invention and if it is accepted as a project, IPO will pay initial commercialization costs, such as patenting fees, and will develop a commercialization plan specific to your invention.

• Benefits and more information on assigning the university

If you take personal ownership, you will be taking full responsibility for commercialization of the invention. The inventors will still retain certain obligations to the University, especially the need to obtain the University’s written legal consent to any license or further assignment, and will be required to submit annual reports on any commercialization or patenting activities.

• More information on choosing personal assignment

Still unsure? This is a big decision and we are here to help. We recommend that you contact IPO before making a decision. IPO has solid experience in all aspects of technology development and transfer, and can help in determining the implications of your ownership decision and the prospects of commercializing your invention.