Choosing University Ownership
Where the intellectual property is not encumbered by previous sponsor rights , we encourage researchers to have their invention or copyright work assessed by the University and potentially assign to the University. When you choose to assign to the University, the Innovations & Partnerships Office (IPO) will work with you to protect and commercialize your invention.
Working with IPO means:
- IPO, together with MaRS Innovation, performs an assessment of the commercialization potential of the invention, including patentability, market opportunity and state of development of the technology
- IPO develops an IP strategy, selects an agent with expertise in the area, pays initial fees up front, and is repaid only from revenues, if any
- IPO develops a commercialization and development plan, which may include application to grants designed for technology development such as OICR, CIHR POP, NSERC-I2I, OCE, and ORCP. The plan may also include options to license or to start a new company, contacts for licensees and/or partners and a product plan to develop product and scale up production
- IPO helps to secure funding for commercialization. IPO has good networks with OCE, OCIF, CIHR, angel investors and inventors are eligible for NSERC-I2I and ORCP-POP. IPO writes the grant application.
- IPO develops a marketing strategy to identify investors (if a start-up) or potential licensees from its extensive network of contacts in business and finance, assists with preparation of a preliminary business plan, creates marketing material, arranges meetings with prospects, makes presentations
- IPO selects strategic partners, negotiates terms, prepares and executes agreements using in-house legal counsel, and follows up to ensure milestones are met and payments are received. No further approval is required
At IPO, we are here to answer any of your questions about assigning ownership or our process. Just give us a call!
