Intellectual Property (IP) Policy
In general, the University of Idaho Intellectual Property (IP) Policy, outlined in the Faculty Staff Handbook (FSH) 5300 allows faculty researchers to put their ideas to work in the real world by protecting ideas for future investment, a process that results in commercial availability of new or improved products and services. When faculty begin employment at the university, they are required to sign the Employment Agreement Concerning Intellectual Property form, as explained in FSH 5300.
The process of technology transfer at universities was established by the passage of the foundational Bayh-Dole Act of 1980 (PDF) by U.S. Congress. The Idaho State Board of Education provides the Institution Intellectual Property Guidelines for Idaho's public education institutions, including U of I.
The U of I IP Policy allows faculty researchers to generate more personal income by contributing valuable inventions, discoveries or copyright-eligible work;
The U of I IP Policy allows third parties to access important new advancements made in university facilities and programs;
- Through obtaining and maintaining IP, licensing IP and creating new businesses to bring the IP to market as a product. (See FSH 5300 B-3 “UI Administration of UI Sponsored Materials”)
The U of I IP Policy requires faculty, staff and students to disclose potentially protectable inventions, discoveries, plants, recipes, designs concepts and plans created through the use of university resources to the Office of Technology Transfer.
- This enables the university to meet certain obligations to third-party sponsors, including federal and state agencies, and industry sponsors. (See FSH 5300 B-3 “UI Administration of UI Sponsored Materials”)
- U of I foots the bill, or has third-party sponsors foot the bill, for patent expenses (or other protections).
- FSH 5300 (see C-2 “UI Processes”); Form: H-1. Employment Agreement Concerning Intellectual Property; and Student Educational Activity Agreement.
The U of I IP Policy provides a carve-out for certain faculty copyright-eligible works, such as course materials, or works produced by faculty on sabbatical leave.
- FSH 5300 (see B-2 “Assignment of Ownership”)
Faculty may engage in certain consulting, and may start new businesses, however a conflict-of-interest management plan may be necessary.
- Professional Consulting and Additional Workload
- Financial Conflicts of Interest in Public Health Service Research
- Financial Disclosure Policy
- The Office of Technology Transfer has a ticketing system to facilitate advising requests, MTA, NDA and Invention Disclosures.