inventors-guide-1.pdf

8/9/2019 Inventors-Guide-1.pdf

1/17


2/17

MISSIONNC Stts Oc o Tcnoo Tns s ddctd

to bnn cut, st nd studnt nvntons nd

tcnoos to t mktpc to ct bnts o

NC Stt, t communt nd t n pubc.

W e r e a t y o u r s e r v i c e .

NC STaTe OffiCe Of TeChNOlOgy TraNSfer

Cmpus Box 8210

r, NC 27695-8210

Pon: 919.515.7199

fx: 919.515.3773

www.sc.ncsu.du/ott

T NC Stt Oc o Tcnoo Tns woud k to

tnk nd cknowd t Unvst o Mcn Oc

o Tcnoo Tns o povdn t tmpt nd

sttn mt o ts invntos gud.

2011 Not Con Stt Unvst

A Message f rom Our

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORT NC Stt Oc o Tcnoo Tns (OTT)

sttc mns ntctu popt nt

b t sc ntps. B budn ptnsps w

NC Stt nnovtos, ntpnus nd ndust, w

ctt t tns o tcnoo tt bnts soc

nd ncs vs.

it s xctn, mnnu wok. T ctv spt o

NC Stt cut, st nd studnts nv css to

mz m, on wt t commtmnt to ou msso

in od to mntn ou qut o nd sustnb

utu, NC Stt nds to contnu to nutu cutu

o ctvt tt nsus tt ou dnmc sc

ntps s wokn on t gnd Cns o t

wod. W commttd to pntn t sds tod

t poducts o t utu.

Billy B. hOUghTel

excutv Dcto, Oc o Tcnoo T


3/17

An Inventors Guide to Technology Transferoutns t

ssnt mnts o tcnoo tns t NC Stt.

Ts ud s onzd to nsw t most commonqustons w tpc d om ou sc communt

nd povds bod ovvw o t tcnoo tns

pocss nd svcs vb.

fo mo nomton, vst www.sc.ncsu.du/ott

o c t Oc o Tcnoo Tns t 919.515.7199.

fom xpntons o NC Stt pocs concnn

tcnoo tns cn b obtnd om t Unvsts

Pocs, rutons, nd rus, wc supsds n

conctn nomton psntd n ts ud.

Technology Transfer Overview ..................................................

Research Considerations and

Material Transfer Agreements.....................................................

Invention Disclosures .....................................................................

Ownership of Intellectual Property ...........................................

Assessment of an Invention Disclosure ................................

Patents and Other Legal Protection...........................................

Considerations for a Start-up Company ................................

Marketing to Find a Licensee .......................................................

License Agreements .........................................................................

Commercialization ............................................................................

Conict of Interest .............................................................................

Revenue Distribution .......................................................................

Reinvestment and Relationships.................................................

Table of

CONTENTS


4/17

What is technology transfer?

Tcnoo tns s t tns o knowd nd

dscovs to t pubc. it cn occu tou pubctons,

ductd studnts ntn t wokoc, xcns tconncs, tonsps wt ndust, o consutn.

fo t puposs o ts ud, tcnoo tns s

to t om cnsn o tcnoo to td pts und

t udnc o possons mpod b unvsts,

nd busnsss.

What is NC State Technology Transfer?

T Oc o Tcnoo Tns s n NC Stt svc

unt composd o spcsts n cnsn, busnss

dvopmnt, nd mtts wo xpncd n

tnsn tcnoos om t psc scncs,

scncs, nomton nd comput scncs, nd ot

dscpns. W sponsb o sttc mnn

nvnton dscosus submttd b cut, st nd

studnts om cos, dptmnts nd unts on

NC Stts cmpus.

Why would a researcher want to participate in the

technology transfer process?

rsons unqu to c sc nd m ncud:

Mkn postv mpct on soct

fn sns o pson umnt

acvn conton nd nnc wds

gntn ddton b o dptmnt undn

Mtn t obtons o sc contct

attctn sc sponsos

Ctn ducton oppotunts o studnts

lnkn studnts to utu job oppotunts

How is technology transferred?

Tcnoo s tpc tnsd tou cns

mnt. NC Stt nts ts ts n t dnd

tcnoo nd/o t ssoctd ptnt ts to td pt o pod o s, otn mtd to

ptcu d o us nd/o on o t wod. T

cns (t td pt cnsn t tcnoo) m

b n stbsd compn o nw busnss stt-up.

lcnss ncud tms tt qu t cns to mt

ctn pomnc obtons nd to mk nnc

pmnts to NC Stt. Ts pmnts sd

wt t nvntos nd so dstbutd to cos,

dptmnts/unts, nd cnt dmnstton to povd

suppot o ut sc, ducton, nd ptcpton

n t tcnoo tns pocss.

What is the Bayh-Dole Act?

T U.S. B-Do act o 1980 ows unvsts nd

ot non-pot nsttutons to own ts to dscovs

sutn om d undd sc, povdd ctn

obtons mt. Ts obtons ncud mkn

ots to potct (wn ppopt) nd commcz

t dscovs, submttn poss pots to t

undn nc, vn pnc to sm busnsss

tt dmonstt sucnt cpbt, nd sn n

sutn vnus wt t nvntos. T B-Do

act s cdtd wt stmutn ntst n tcnoo

tns ctvts nd ntn ncsd sc,

commczton, ducton oppotunts, nd

conomc dvopmnt n t Untd Stts.

How do I work with the NC States Ofce of

Technology Transfer?

W ncou ou to contct t Oc o Tcnoo

Tns (OTT) dun ou sc ctvtsto b w o t optons tt w bst v

t commc potnt o ou sc. OTT st

tnd to ssst ou wt qustons td to

mktbt, undn soucs, commc ptns,

ptntn nd ot potcton mtods, nw busnss

stt-up consdtons, NC Stt pocs nd

pocdus, nd muc mo.

What are the typical steps in the process?

T pocss o tcnoo tns s summzd n

t stps tt oow. Not tt ts stps cn v n

squnc nd otn occu smutnous. a lcnsn

assoct s ssnd to ssst ou touout ts

pocss. W to sv ou.

How long does the technology transfer process

take?

T pocss o potctn t tcnoo nd ndn t

t cnsn ptn m tk monts, o vn s,

to compt. T mount o tm w dpnd on t

dvopmnt st o t tcnoo, t mkt o t

tcnoo, comptn tcnoos, t mount o wok

ndd to bn nw concpt to mkt-d sttus,

nd t soucs nd wnnss o t cnss nd

t nvntos.

How can I help in this process?

C t OTT t 919.515.7199 wn ou bv o

v ctd o dscovd somtn unqu wt

potnt commc o sc vu. Compt nd submt t NC Stt Dscosu fom

(submt dscosu t research.ncsu.edu/ott/for-

inventors/resources/) bo pubc dscosn

tcnoo o submttn mnuscpt o vw n

pubcton.

To vod skn ou ptnt ts nd possb

ndn t oppotunt to mkt ou nvnton,

contct t OTT bo odn n dscussons w

ndvdus outsd t NC Stt communt.

On t NC Stt Dscosu fom, ncud compn

nd contcts ou bv mt b ntstd n ou

nvnton o wo m v d contctd ou

bout ou nvnton. Studs v sown tt ov

70% o cnss xcutd wt commc

ntts known b t nvnto, so ou contcts c

xtm usu.

rspond to t OTT nd outsd ptnt couns

qusts. W som spcts o t ptnt nd

cnsn pocss m qu sncnt ptcpt

on ou pt, w w stv to mk cnt us o

vub tm.

Kp t OTT nomd o upcomn pubctons o

ntctons wt compns td to ou ntct

popt.

Technology Transfer

OVERVIEW


5/17

Will I be able to publish the results of my research

and still protect the commercial value of my

intellectual property?

ys. Ptnt ts, owv, ctd b tsctvts. it s bst to submt n invnton Dscosu

fom (s p 5) w bo communctn o

dscosn ou nvnton to pop outsd NC Stt.

T sncnt dncs btwn t U.S. nd

ot counts s to ow pubcton cts

potnt ptnt. Onc pubc dscosd (pubsd

o psntd n som om), n nvnton m v

stctd o mnm potnt o ptnt potcton

outsd o t Untd Stts. B su to nom t OTT

lcnsn assoct ssnd to ou o n mmnnt

o po psntton, ctu, post, bstct, wbst

dscpton, sc popos submsson, dsstton/

msts tss, pubcton, o ot pubc psntton

ncudn t nvnton.

May I use material or intellectual property from

others in my research?

ys. it s mpotnt to documnt cu t dt nd

condtons o us so tt w cn dtmn ts us

m nunc t ownsp nd cns ts o ou

subsqunt sc suts.

i ou ws to obtn mts om outsd cobotos,

n ncomn Mt Tns amnt (MTa) soud

b comptd. Contct t Oc o Tcnoo Tns

o mo nomton on ncomn MTas o snd n -mto [email protected].

Will I be able to share materials, research tools or

intellectual property with others to further their

research?

ys. it s mpotnt to documnt tms tt to b

sd wt ots nd t condtons o us. i ou ws

to snd mts to n outsd coboto, n outon

Mt Tns amnt (MTa) soud b comptd

o ts pupos. it so m b ncss to v

Condnt Dscosu amnt (CDa) comptd

to potct ou sc suts o ntctu popt.

Contct n Oc o Tcnoo Tns psnttv

to ssst ou n comptn outon MTas o CDas.

What rights does a research sponsor have to any

discoveries associated with my research?

T Sponsod Pojct amnt (SPa) soud spc

t intctu Popt (iP) ts o t sponso.NC Stt n tns ownsp o t ptnt ts

nd ot ntctu popt sutn om sponsod

sc. howv, t sponso m v ts to obtn

cns to t dnd nd xpctd outcoms o t

sc. Otn, sponsod sc contcts ow

t sponso mtd tm to nott cns o n

ptnt o ntctu popt ts dvopd s t

sut o t sc. evn so, t sponso n

w not v contctu ts to dscovs tt

c outsd o t scop o t sc. To, t

s mpotnt to dn t scop o wok wtn sc

mnt.

Sponsod sc pojcts ndd b SParCS

(Sponsod Poms nd ruto Compnc).

SParCS pojct mns wok cos wt t OTT on

iP ssus n Sponsod Pojct amnts.

i ou v qustons bout sponsod sc, ps

contct t SParCS pojct psnttv sponsb

o t sponso.

S www.ncsu.edu/sparcs o c 919.515.2444.

What about consulting?

Wn scs nt nto consutn mnts,

t dmd to b ctn outsd o t scop o

mpomnt. To, consutn nmnts nottd b NC Stt.

rscs wo nt nto consutn mnts

soud mz tmsvs wt t pocs o t

co nd dptmnt vnt to consutn ctvt

T sc s xpctd to nsu tt t tms

o t consutn nmnt consstnt wt

NC Stt pocs, ncudn tos td to iP own

mpomnt sponsbts nd us o intctu

Popt.

T OTT s vb to povd nom dvc on o

ou consutn mnt ts to NC Stt int

Popt.

a dscusson dn consutn nd conct o nt

cn b ound t http://www.ncsu.edu/general_

counsel/legal_topics/consulting-faqs.php .

RESEARCH CONSIDERATIONSand Mater ia l T ransfer Agreements


6/17

What is an Invention Disclosure Form?

an invnton Dscosu fom (iDf) s wttn

dscpton o ou nvnton o dvopmnt submttd

to t NC Stt Oc o Tcnoo Tns. TiDf soud st cobotn soucs o suppot nd

ncud o t nomton ncss to bn pusun

potcton, mktn, nd commczton ctvts.

Ts documnt s ttd s Condnt.

Bsd on t iDf, t OTT m nt non-

condnt dscpton o ou nvnton n od to

ssst n mktn t tcnoo. Onc potnt

ptns v bn dntd, nd condnt dscosu

mnts v bn snd, mo dtd xcns

o nomton cn occu.

Why should I submit an Invention Disclosure Form?

Wn ou dscos ou nvnton to t OTT, t stts

pocss tt coud d to t commczton

o ou tcnoo. Ts m nvov bnnn t

ntctu popt potcton pocss nd dntn

commczton ptns. i ovnmnt unds w

usd o ou sc, ou qud to pompt

dscosu, wc w b potd to t sponson

nc. Sm qumnts xst o ndust-sponsod

pojcts s w.

How do I know if my discovery is an invention?

you ncoud to submt n iDf o nvntons

nd dvopmnts tt ou m sov pobm nd/

o v commc ppcton nd/o vu. i ou n doubt, contct t OTT to dscuss t nvnton nd

stts o commczton.

When should I complete an Invention Disclosure

Form?

you soud compt n iDf wnv ou ou v

dscovd somtn unqu wt possb commc

vu. Ts soud b don w bo psntn

t dscov tou pubctons, post sssons,

conncs, pss ss, o ot communcton.

Onc pubc dscosd (.., pubsd o psntd n

n om), n nvnton m v stctd o mnm

potnt o ptnt potcton. Dncs xst btwn

t U.S. nd ot counts on t mpct o

pubcton nd pubc dscosu on skn ptnt

potcton.

B su to nom t OTT o n mmnnt o po

psntton, ctu, post, bstct, wbst

dscpton, sc popos, dsstton/msts

tss, pubcton, o ot pubc psntton ncudn

t nvnton.

Should I disclose research tools?

ys, ou nw toos woud bnt ot scs nd

ou ntstd n povdn tm to tos scs

nd to ots.

Tpc, sc toos mts suc s ntbods,

vctos, psmds, c ns, mc, nd ot mts

usd s toos n t sc pocss. Most sc

toos do not ncss nd to b potctd b ptnts

n od to b cnsd to commc td pts nd/o

to nt vnu.

i ou v sc toos tt ou bv to b

vub, o ws to povd to ots (ncudn sc

cobotos), t OTT w wok wt ou to dvop t

ppopt potcton, cnsn, nd dstbuton stt.

How do I submit an Invention Disclosure Form?

T invnton Dscosu fom s comptd nd

submttd ctonc t research.ncsu.edu/ott/fo

inventors/resources/.

Nw nvnton dscosus ssnd s t

cvd to n OTT lcnsn assoct.

i ou v n qustons, c t OTT t 919.515.71

o m us t [email protected] .

Who is considered an inventor for the purposes

technology transfer?

an nvnto s n ndvdu wo s md contb

to t concpton o n nvnton. invntosp s

dtmnd b Untd Stts ptnt w.

fOr MOre iNfOrMaTiON:

www.uspto.gov

INVENTION DISCLOSURES


7/17

What is intellectual property?

intctu popt s n nvnton nd/o mt tt

m b potctd und t ptnt, tdmk nd/o

copt ws, o b contct.

Who owns what I create?

Ownsp dpnds upon t mpomnt sttus o

t ctos o t nvnton nd t us o NC Stt

cts/soucs. Consdtons ncud:

Wt s t souc o t unds o soucs usd to

poduc t nvnton?

Wt ws t mpomnt sttus o t nvntos t t

tm t nvnton ws concvd?

Wt t tms o n mnt td to t

cton o t nvnton?

as n u, NC Stt owns nvntons md b

ts mpos w ctn wtn t scop o t

mpomnt o usn mo tn ncdnt NC Stt

soucs.

NC Stts copt poc dscbs t ppcb

us o coptb woks: www.provost.ncsu.edu/

copyright/ownership/ncsu.php .

in som css, t tms o Sponsod Pojct

amnt o Mt Tns amnt m mpct

ownsp. Wn n doubt, t s bst to c t OTT o

dvc.

What is NC States policy on ownership of

inventions?

T poc s codd n NC Stt POl 10.00.1 vb

t www.ncsu.edu/policies/research/POL10.00.1.php.

Who owns rights to discoveries made while I am

consulting?

T ownsp o nvntons md w consutn o n

outsd compn dpnds on t tms o ou consutn

contct. it s mpotnt to c dn t scop o wok

wtn consutn contcts to mnmz n ssus wt

ownsp o nvntons ctd om Unvst sc.

i ou v qustons, t OTT s vb o nom

dvc.

Who owns rights to discoveries made while on

sabbatical?

gn, ou on pd sbbtc om NC Stt,

NC Stt st tns ts to n dscovs connctd

to ou scop o mpomnt. Contct t OTT o

SParCS bo ou sbbtc to nsu tt ownsp

consdtons documntd.

Should I list visiting scientists or scientists at other

institutions on my Invention Disclosure Form?

a psons tt m v contbutd to t ds dn

to dscov soud b mntond n ou dscosu,vn t not NC Stt mpos o studnts. T

OTT, on wt couns, w dtmn t ts o

suc psons nd nsttutons. it s pudnt to dscuss wt

t OTT wokn tonsps (pb bo t

bn) to undstnd t mpctons o n subsqunt

nvntons.

Can a student contribute to an invention?

ys, mn studnts wok on nvntons t NC Stt und

wd vt o ccumstncs. NC Stt pomots

studnt nnovton nd ntpnusp. Tpc,

studnt w own s o ts to n nvnton unss

t nvnton ws ctd b studnt n cpct s

NC Stt mpo (dut studnt, sc ssstnt,

tc.) nd/o t studnt usd mo tn ncdnt NC

Stt soucs.


www.ncsu.edu/ott

www.ncsu.edu/policies/research/POL10.00.1.php

OWNERSHIPof In te l lectual Proper ty


8/17


9/17

What is the patenting process?

Ptnt ppctons n dtd b ptnt

tton o ptnt nt ( non-tton wt scnc

ducton). T ptnt tton/nt n w skou to vw n ppcton bo t s d nd w so

sk ou qustons bout nvntosp o t ppcton

cms. at t tm n ppcton s d, t ptnt

tton w sk t nvnto(s) to sn n invntos

Dcton nd n assnmnt, wc vdncs t

nvntos dut to ssn t ptnt to NC Stt.

in bout on o on, dpndn on t tp o

tcnoo, t ptnt tton w cv wttn notc

om t ptnt oc s to wt t ppcton nd

ts cms v bn ccptd n t om s d. Mo

otn tn not, t ptnt oc jcts t ppcton

bcus t ctn omts nd to b cd

up, o t cms not ptntb ov t po t

(n td nomton n t d tt s bn pubc

dscosd). T tt snt b t ptnt oc s d

to s n Oc acton o Oc acton.

i t ppcton s jctd, t ptnt tton/nt

must wttn spons, usu wtn t to

sx monts. gn, t tton m mnd t

cms nd/o pont out w t ptnt ocs poston

s ncoct. Ts pocdu s d to s ptnt

poscuton. Otn t w tk two Oc actons nd two

sponss b t ptnt tton/nt, nd somtms

mo, bo t ppcton s sovd.

T souton cn tk t om o notc tt t

ppcton s owb; n ot wods, t ptnt oc

s to ssu ptnt. Dun ts pocss, nput om

t nvnto(s) s otn ndd to conm t ptntttons undstndn o t tcnc spcts o t

nvnton nd/o t po t ctd nst t ppcton.

T ptnt oc ods ptnt ppctons condnt

unt pubsd. T USPTO pubss ppctons 18

monts t nt n. in t U.S., t nt pocss

w tpc tk up to t to v s.

Is there such a thing as a provisional patent?

No. howv, t s povson ptnt ppcton.

What is the difference between a provisional

patent application and a regular (or utility) patent

application?

in ctn ccumstncs, U.S. povson ptnt

ppctons cn povd too o psvn ptnt ts

w tmpo ducn costs. Ts occus bcus

t ppcton s not xmnd dun t n wc t

s pndn nd cms not qud.

a u U.S. ppcton nd td on ppctons

must b d wtn on o t povson om

n od to cv ts pot n dt. howv, n

ppcnt on cvs t bnt o t n dt

o mt tt s dqut dscbd nd nbd n

t povson ppcton. as sut, t ptnt tton

otn nds ou ssstnc wn n ppcton s d

s povson.

Whats different about foreign patent protection?

fon ptnt potcton s subjct to t ws o c

ndvdu count, tou n n sns t

pocss woks muc t sm s t dos n t UntdStts. in on counts, owv, n nvnto w

os n ptnt ts o s pubc dscoss t

nvnton po to n t ptnt ppcton.

Is there such a thing as an international patent?

atou n ntnton ptnt dos not xst, n

ntnton mnt known s t Ptnt Coopton

Tt (PCT) povds stmnd n pocdu

o most ndustzd ntons. fo U.S. ppcnts,

PCT ppcton s n d on t t

cospondn U.S. ppcton (t povson o u)

s bn submttd. T PCT ppcton must t b

d n t nton ptnt oc o n count n wc t

ppcnt wss to sk ptnt potcton, n wtn

30 monts o t st cmd n dt.

What is gained by ling an application under the PCT?

T PCT povds two dvnts. fst, t ds t

nd to cost on ppctons unt t 30-mont

dt, otn t n ppcnt s t oppotunt to ut

dvop, vut nd/o mkt t nvnton o cnsn.

Scond, t ntnton pmn xmnton otn

ows n ppcnt to smp t ptnt poscuton

pocss b vn sn xmn spk to t

ptntbt o t cms, wc cn sv sncnt

costs n poscutn on ptnt ppctons. an

mpotnt ntnton tt cd t Ps Convnton

pmts ptnt ppcton d n scond count

PCT ppcton) to cm t bnt o t n dt

n ppcton d n st count. howv, pusu

ts tt, ts so-cd convnton ppctons b d n on counts (o s PCT) wtn on

o t st n dt o t U.S. ppcton.

What is the timeline of the patenting process and

resulting protection?

Cunt, t v U.S. utt ptnt ppcton s

pndn o bout two s, tou nvntos n t

botc nd comput ds soud pn on on

wtn pod. Onc ptnt s ssud, t s noc

o 20 s om t nt n o t ppcton

tt sutd n t ptnt, ssumn tt mndtd

mntnnc s pd.

Why does NC State protect only some intellectua

property through patenting?

Ptnt potcton s otn qumnt o potnt

commczton ptn (cns) bcus t cn

potct t commc ptns otn szb nvstm

qud to bn t tcnoo to mkt. Du to t

xpns nd t nt o tm qud to obtn

ptnt, ptnt ppctons not possb o NC

Stt nvntons. W cu vw t commc

potnt o n nvnton bo nvstn n t ptn

pocss. howv, bcus t nd o commncn

ptnt n usu pcds ndn cns, w

ook o ctv nd cost-ctv ws to sk

potcton o s mn pomsn nvntons s possb

c o n t n


10/17

Who decides what gets protected?

T OTT nd t nvnto(s) tot dscuss vnt

ctos n dcdn wt to ptnt ppcton.

Utmt, t OTT mks t n dcson s towt to .

What does it cost to le for and obtain a patent?

fn u U.S. ptnt ppcton m cost btwn

$7,000 nd $13,000. To obtn n ssud ptnt m

qu n ddton $10,000 to $15,000 o ptnt

poscuton. fn nd obtnn ssud ptnts n ot

counts m cost $20,000 o mo p count. aso,

onc ptnt s ssud n t U.S o n on counts,

ctn ovnmnt mntnnc s qud to

kp t ptnt ctv.

What if I created the invention with someone from

another institution or company?

i ou ctd t nvnton und sponsod pojct o

consutn mnt wt compn, t OTT lcnsn

assoct w nd to vw tt contct to dtmn

ownsp nd ot ts ssoctd wt t contct

nd to dtmn t ppopt nxt stps. Soud

t tcnoo b jont ownd wt not cdmc

nsttuton, t lcnsn assoct w usu popos

n nt-nsttuton mnt tt povds o on o

t nsttutons to tk t d n potctn nd cnsn

t nvnton, sn o xpnss ssoctd wt t

ptntn pocss, nd octn n cnsn vnus.

i t tcnoo s jont ownd wt not compn,

t lcnsn assoct w wok wt t compn to

dtmn t ppopt ptntn nd cnsn stt.

Will NC State initiate or continue patenting activity

without an identied licensee?

Dpndn on t commc vbt o tcnoo,

NC Stt m ptnt ppcton bo cnss bn dntd. at Unvst ts v bn

cnsd to cns, t cns n ps t

ptntn xpnss. at tms w must dcn ut

ptnt poscuton t sonb pod (otn

o two) o ttmptn to dnt cns (o t

s dtmnd tt w cnnot obtn sonb ptnt

cov).

What is a copyright and how is it useful?

Copt s om o potcton povdd b t ws

o t Untd Stts to t utos o on woks o

utosp. Ts ncuds t, dmtc, musc,

tstc, nd ctn ot ntctu woks s w s

comput sotw. Ts potcton s vb to bot

pubsd nd unpubsd woks. T Copt act

n vs t own o t copt t xcusv

t to conduct nd utoz vous cts, ncudn

poducton, pubc pomnc nd mkn dvtv

woks. Copt potcton s utomtc scud

wn wok s xd nto tnb mdum suc s

book, sotw cod, o vdo. in som nstncs,

NC Stt sts copts, but n not unt

poduct s d o dstbuton.

How do I represent a proper University copyright

notice?

atou coptb woks do not qu copt

notc, w commnd tt ou us on. fo woksownd b NC Stt, us t oown tmpt: Copt

20XX b Not Con Stt Unvst.

How can I learn more about University copyright

policies?

i ou v ddton qustons bout potnt

coptb nvnton, ps contct t OTT. i ou

v qustons bout ot copt pocs, ps

vst t admnsttv ruton on Copt Us

nd Ownsp: www.ncsu.edu/policies/research/

POL10.00.1.php .

What is a trademark or service mark and how is it

useful?

in sot, tdmks nd svc mks bnd nms.

a tdmk ncuds n wod, nm, smbo, dvc,

o combnton tt s usd n commc to dnt

nd dstnus t oods o on mnuctu o s

om tos mnuctud o sod b ots, nd so

to ndct t souc o t oods. a svc mk s

n wod, nm, smbo, dvc, o combnton tt s

usd, o ntndd to b usd, n commc to dnt

nd dstnus t svcs o on povd om tos o

ots, nd to ndct t souc o t svcs.

What is trademark registration?

Tdmk stton s pocdu n wc t Un

Stts Ptnt nd Tdmk Oc (USPTO) povd

dtmnton o ts bsd upon tmt us o mk. howv, t s not ncss to st td

o svc mk to pvnt ots om nnn upo

tdmk.

Tdmks n bcom potctd s soon s

doptd b n onzton nd usd n commc

vn bo stton. Wt d tdmk

stton, t stnt s psumd to b nttd

us t tdmk touout t Untd Stts o t

oods o svcs o wc t tdmk s st


www.ncsu.edu/ott nd www.uspto.gov


11/17

What is a start-up company and why choose to

launch one?

a stt-up s nw busnss ntt omd to

commcz on o mo td nvntons. fomn stt-up compn s n tntv to cnsn t iP to n

stbsd busnss. a w k ctos wn consdn

stt-up compn :

dvopmnt sk (otn compns n stbsd

ndusts unwn to tk t sk)

potnt o mutp poducts o svcs om t

sm tcnoo (w compns suvv on on

poduct on)

sucnt compttv dvnt nd tt

mkt

potnt vnus sucnt to sustn nd ow

compn

T OTT uss ts nomton, wokn wt nvntos

nd ots, to dnt t most ppopt cnsn

ptn(s), wt stbsd busnsss o nw

sttups.

Who decides whether to form a start-up?

T coc to stbs nw compn o

commczn iP s jont dcson md b t OTT

nd t nvntos. i nw busnss stt-up s cosn s

t pd commczton pt, t OTT w ssst

ou nd t ot ounds n pnnn nd xcutn t

pocss.

What role does an inventor usually play in a

company?

NC Stt cut tpc sv s tcnoo

consutnts, dvsos o n som ot tcncdvopmnt cpct. r do cut coos to

v NC Stt nd jon t stt-up.

in mn css, t cut o s sustd b t stt-

up nvstos nd mnmnt tm, wo dnt t

bst o bsd on t nvntos xpts nd ntsts.

as t compn mtus nd ddton nvstmnt

s qud, t nvntos o m cn. fcut

nvovmnt o n knd n stt-up must b dscosd

n ou conct o ntst sttmnt. Studnt nvntos

nd post-docs m coos to jon t stt-up upon

duton but v t xpnc o busnss

sks to sv s t compns so mnmnt.

fo mo nomton on Concts o intst, ps s

www.ncsu.edu/sparcs/coi .

How much of my time and effort will it take?

Sttn compn qus consdb mount o

tm nd ot. Unt t stt-up tm s dntd nd

nd, t cut mmb w nd to cmpon

t omton ot. at t tm s n pc, ot s

qud o nvsto dscussons, om sponsbts

n o wt t compn, nd Unvst pocsss suc s

conct o ntst vws.

Can NC State accept equity in the company?

NC Stt cn ccpt qut s pt o t nnc

tms o t cns. equt s otn substtutd o ot

cs consdtons tt otn dcut o stt-ups.it s so w o NC Stt to s som o t sk

ssoctd wt t sttups. a dcson to tk qut

must mk sns o bot NC Stt nd t compn.

Will NC State pay for incorporating a start-up

company?

No. as spt ntt, t stt-up must p o ts own

mtts, ncudn busnss ncopoton mtts

nd cnsn xpnss.

What legal assistance is needed in creating a

start-up?

in ddton to copot couns, t stt-up m v ts

own ntctu popt couns to ssst wt copot

ptnt stt, spc t compn w b nvovd

n ptnt-c . T stt-ups couns must b

spt om NC Stt couns, tou t s dvsb

nd commndd tt t copot iP Couns nd

t NC Stt ptnt couns coodnt ctvts. aso, t

s ws o nvntos to v mnts dn t

os wt t stt-up vwd b t own couns to

nsu tt pson mctons, ncudn txton

nd bts, c undstood.

What is New Venture Services?

Nw Vntu Svcs povds ntwok o

ntpnus, nks to undn oppotunts, nvsto

nd mnmnt tms, nd suppot to cut ndstudnt nvntos nd ntpnus. it so ds t

NC Stt fst 15, potoo o pomsn pojcts t

w cv customzd suppot om t Unvsts

nnovton ntwok. Ts suppot ncuds mnton

xpncd ntpnus, busnss unc pnnn

xcutv scs, nd ncsd vsbt to nsu

tt oc nvstos m wt NC Stt stt-up

nvstmnt oppotunts.

Are there other special programs to assist NC S

inventors?

ys. T OTT dmnsts t Cncos innovto

fund (Cif), wc povds poo-o-concpt undn

o sc dscovs. T o s to stntn t

commc potnt o ntctu popt dscosd

to t OTT. Up to $75,000 m b wdd to poj

T Cif pocss s compttv wt wd wnns

cosn b scton commtt composd o NC S

st, succssu ntpnus, nd unds. Popos

submttd on n nnu scdu. On nvnton

dscosd to t OTT b.


www.ncsu.edu/ott

Considerat ions for a

START-UP COMPANY


12/17

What is a license?

a cns s pmsson tt t own o conto o

ntctu popt nts to not pt, usu und

cns mnt.

What is a License Agreement?

lcns amnts dscb t ts nd

sponsbts td to t us nd xpotton o

ntctu popt dvopd t NC Stt. NC Stt

lcns amnts usu stput tt t cns

soud dnt sk to bn t ntctu popt

nto commc us o t pubc ood nd povd

sonb tun to NC Stt.

How is a company chosen to be a licensee?

a cns s cosn bsd on ts bt to commcz

t tcnoo o t bnt o t n pubc.

Somtms n stbsd compn wt xpnc n

sm tcnoos nd mkts s t bst coc. in

ot css, t ocus nd ntnst o stt-up compn

s btt opton. it s o NC Stt to v mutp

potnt cnss bddn on n nvnton.

What can I expect to gain if my IP is licensed?

P Unvst poc, s o n nnc tun

cns s povdd to t nvnto(s).


http://www.ncsu.edu/policies/research/

REG10.00.3.php

Most nvntos njo t stscton o known t

nvntons bn dpod o t bnt o t

n pubc. Nw nd nncd tonsps wt

busnsss not outcom tt cn umnt

ons tcn, sc nd consutn. in som cs

ddton sponsod sc m sut om t

cns.

What is the relationship between an inventor and

licensee, and how much of my time will it require

Mn cnss qu t ctv ssstnc o t

nvnto to ctt t commczton ots,

st t t sts o dvopmnt. Ts cn n

om nqunt, nom contcts to mo om

consutn tonsp. Wokn wt nw busnss

stt-up cn qu substnt mo tm, dpnd

on ou o n o wt t compn nd ou contnu

o wtn NC Stt. you ptcpton wt stt-up

ovnd b Unvst conct o ntst pocs n

ppov o ou supvso.

How does The OTT market my inventions?

lcnsn assocts us mn soucs nd stts

to dnt potnt cnss nd mkt nvntons.

Somtms xstn tonsps o t nvntos,t OTT st, nd ot scs usu n

mktn n nvnton. Mkt sc cn ssst n

dntn pospctv cnss. W so xmn ot

compmnt tcnoos nd mnts to ssst

ou ots. W us ou wbst to mkt nvntons,

v conncs nd ndust vnts, nd mk

dct contcts. fcut pubctons nd psnttons

otn xcnt mktn toos s w.

How are most licensees found?

Studs v sown tt 70% o cnss known to

t nvntos. Tus, sc nd consutn tonsps

otn vub souc o cnss. lcnss

so dntd tou xstn tonsps o t

OTT st. Ou cnss otn cns mo tn on

tcnoo om NC Stt. W ttmpt to bodn ts

tonsps tou contcts obtnd om wbst

postn nqus, mkt sc, ndust vnts nd

t cutvton o xstn ptnsps.

How long does it take to nd a potential licensee?

it cn tk monts nd somtms s to oct

potnt cns, dpndn on t ttctvnss

o t nvnton, ts st o dvopmnt, comptntcnoos, nd t sz nd ntnst o t mkt.

Most unvst nvntons tnd to b n t st

n t dvopmnt cc nd tus qu substnt

commczton nvstmnt, mkn t cnn to

ttct cns.

How can I assist in marketing my invention?

you ctv nvovmnt cn dmtc mpov

t cncs o mtcn n nvnton to n outsd

compn. you sc nd consutn tonsps

otn pu n bot dntn potnt cnss nd

tcnoo cmpons wtn compns. Onc ntstd

compns dntd, t nvnto s t bst pson

to dscb t dts o t nvnton nd ts tcnc

dvnts. T most succssu tcnoo tns

suts obtnd wn t nvnto nd t cnsn

posson wok tot s tm to mkt nd s

t tcnoo.

Can there be more than one licensee?

ys, n nvnton cn b cnsd to mutp cnss,

t non-xcusv o xcusv to sv

compns, c o unqu d-o-us (ppcton) o

op.

c o n t n

MARKETINGto F ind a L icensee

LICENSE AGREEMENTS


13/17

What activities occur during commercialization?

Most cnss contnu to dvop n nvnton to

nnc t tcnoo, duc sk, pov bt,

nd sts t mkt qumnts o doptonb customs. Ts cn nvov ddton tstn,

pototpn o mnuctubt, dubt nd ntt,

nd ut dvopmnt to mpov pomnc

nd ot cctstcs. Documntton o tnn,

nstton nd mktn s otn ctd dun

ts ps. Bncmkn tsts otn qud to

dmonstt t poduct/svc dvnts nd to

poston t poduct n t mkt.

What is my role during commercialization?

you o cn v dpndn on ou ntst nd

nvovmnt, n t ntst o t cns n utzn

ou svcs o vous ssnmnts, nd n

contctu obtons td to t cns o n

pson mnts.

What revenues are generated for NC State if

commercialization is successful? If unsuccessfu

Most cnss v cnsn s tt cn b v

modst (o stt-ups o stutons n wc t vu t cns s dmd to wnt modst cns

cn c undds o tousnds o dos. rot

t vntu ss o t cnsd poducts cn n

vnus, tou ts cn tk s to occu.

equt, ncudd n cns, cn d tuns, but o

succssu qut qudton vnt (pubc qut o

o s o t compn) occus. Most cnss do n

d substnt vnus.a cnt stud o cnss

U.S. unvsts dmonsttd tt on 1% o c

d ov $1 mon. howv, t wds o n nv

cn t mkt otn mo sncnt tn t

nnc consdtons on.

What will happen to my invention if the start-

up company or licensee is unsuccessful in

commercializing the technology? Can the invent

be licensed to another entity?

lcnss tpc ncud pomnc mstons t

unmt, cn sut n tmnton o t cns. Ts

tmnton ows o subsqunt cnsn to not

busnss.

What other types of agreements and considerations

apply to technology transfer?

Condnt Dscosu amnts (CDas) otnusd to potct t condntt o n nvnton

dun vuton b potnt cnss. CDas so

potct popt nomton o td pts tt

Unvst scs nd to vw n od to

conduct sc o to vut sc oppotunts.

T OTT nts nto CDas o Unvst popt

nomton sd wt somon outsd o NC Stt.

Mt Tns amnts (MTas), usd o

ncomn nd outon mts t NC Stt,

dmnstd b t OTT. Ts mnts dscb

t tms und wc Unvst scs nd

outsd scs m s mts, tpc o

sc o vuton puposs. intctu popt

ts cn b ndnd mts usd wtout

pop MTa.

int-insttuton amnts (iias) dscb t tms

und wc two o mo nsttutons (n two

unvsts) w cobot to ssss, potct, mkt,

cns, nd s n t vnus cvd omcnsn jont ownd ntctu popt.

Opton amnts, o Opton Cuss wtn sc

mnts, dscb t condtons und wc

NC Stt psvs t oppotunt o td pt

to nott cns o ntctu popt. Opton

cuss otn povdd n Sponsod Pojct

amnt to copot sc sponsos o Opton

amnts ntd nto wt td pts wsn

to vut t tcnoo po to ntn nto u

lcns amnt.

Sponsod Pojct amnts (SPas) dscb t

tms und wc sponsos povd sc suppot to

NC Stt. Ts nottd b SParCS.


www.ncsu.edu/sparcs

COMMERCIALIZATION


14/17

How does NC State dene a conict of interest?

a conct o ntst cn occu wn Unvst

mpo o t m mmbs, tou tonsp

wt n outsd onzton, s n poston to: 1)nunc NC Stts busnss, sc o ot s

tt m d to dct o ndct nnc n; 2)

dvs mpct o nunc ons sc o tcn

sponsbts; o 3) povd mpop dvnt to

ots, to t dsdvnt o NC Stt.

When should I seek guidance on conict of interest?

Wnv quston o unctnt ss, ou soud

sk udnc om ou SParCS pojct mn

o sc-td ssus nd/o ou OTT lcnsn

assoct o cns-td ssus. T two tms

n ptcu wn udnc s qud: wn sc

poposs submttd to xtn sponsos (SParCS)

nd wn lcns, Opton o MTa s bn consdd

wt compn n wc t cut mmb, o n

unvst mpo, s n qut o mnmnt

ntst (OTT).

What kinds of issues concern conict of interest

reviewers?

exmps ncud t ppopt nd objctv us o

sc, t ttmnt nd os o studnts, supvsono ndvdus wokn t bot NC Stt nd cns

compn, nd conct o commtmnt (.., ou bt to

mt ou Unvst obtons).

What are examples of a conict of commitment?

a conct o commtmnt m xst duts, ssnmnts

o sponsbts ssoctd wt tcnoo cns

o outsd busnss nmnt v ntv mpct

on ou bt to mt commtmnts ssoctd wt ou

Unvst mpomnt o xcd t mount o tm

vb to ou o ts ctvts. T bst ppoc

s to u dscos ou stuton to ou supvso nd

dscuss t mpctons o ou job sponsbts.

How does NC State manage conict associated with

research and tech transfer transactions?

SParCS cn dvs ou on conct o ntst ssus. it

s t sponsbt o t sc o cut mmb

to dscos nd documnt n outsd nmnts tt

consttut dscosb stutons o ntsts s dscbd

n Unvst conct o ntst pocs. a concts

soud b dscosd ncudn povdn Notc o intnt

(NOi) o n nstncs w ou cn b compnstd

b td pt o povdn svcs.

foms nd pocdus cn b ound t www.ncsu.edu/

sparcs/coi.

How are license revenues distributed?

T OTT s sponsb o mnn t xpnss

nd vnus ssoctd wt tcnoo mnts.

P Unvst Poc nd rutons, vnus omcns s, ots nd mston s, mnus n

unmbusd ptntn, mktn, nd dmnsttv

xpnss, sd wt nvntos.

What if I receive equity (stock) from a company?

Und NC Stt Poc, ndvdu nvntos wo cv

qut om cns pmttd to s Unvst

vnus (tos not td to qut) om t ssoctd

mnt. invnto qut nd Unvst qut

nottd spt nd d spt.

What are the tax implications of any revenues I

receive from NC State?

lcns vnus tpc txd s fom 1099

ncom. you soud consut tx dvso o spccdvc.

How are inventor revenues distributed if there ar

multiple inventors and/or multiple inventions in a

license?

rvnu s tpc dvdd qu mon nvntos

(stndd qu dstbuton). W t m b som

vton n t pocdu, t OTT dstbuts vnu

bsd on t ptnt ts ssoctd wt n nvnto

a qusts td to cn n t stndd qu

dstbuton to nvntos, soud b submttd to t O

n wtn.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST REVENUE DISTRIBUTION


15/17

ev , t OTT, wokn wt ou NC Stt nvntos

nd busnss ptns:

asssts wt ppoxmt 150 nvnton dscosus Notts ov 70 Opton nd lcns amnts

asssts n omn ou to v nw busnss stt-ups

T cnsn vnus cvd sd mon

NC Stt cos, dptmnts nd unts, nvntos

nd ptnn nsttutons. Ts vnus

nvstd n ddton sc nd ducton, tus

ostn t cton o t nxt nton o sc,

commczton oppotunts, nnovtos, nd

ntpnus.

Ts ptnsps sut n ddton sc pojcts,

bod ducton oppotunts nd cobotv

nvstmnts, nd n nncd bt to ct, tn,

nd s vub soucs tt contbut to ou

qut o .

To n mo bout t Oc o rsc, innovton

nd economc Dvopmnt, ps vst:

www.research.ncsu.edu.

[BRILLIANT] Ideas:REINVESTMENT + RELATIONSHIPS


16/17

[PROFOUND] Thoughts: INVENTION, t must b umb dmdos not consst n ctn out o vod, but out o c

Mary Wollstonecraft


17/17

NCSU OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFERCmpus Box 8210

r, NC 27695-8210

W e r e a t y o u r s e r v i c e .

inventors-guide-1.pdf

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