Do I have an Invention?

When you believe you may have an invention you should contact your case manager. Your case manager will talk with you to ascertain the nature of the invention and will ask you to complete sign and date an Invention Disclosure Form. The IDF is important as it is your initial disclosure of your invention.

The relevant case manager will discuss the options available regarding commercialisation and will outline the possible routes you can take. The case manager will assess the potential commercial value of your invention through initial marketing efforts and will determine whether to pursue a commercial route. It is the role of the case manager to ensure that only technologies with commercial potential are carried through the technology transfer system.

There are a number of strategic decisions which need to be taken If the case manager (following consultation with inventors and TTO staff) decides to pursue commercialisation. These decisions relate to determining which form of IP protection is most suitable and whether to focus on forming a campus company with your invention or licensing the IP to an existing company. 

Should you decide to form a campus company the case manager will help to identify and link you to a suitable business partner; someone with the requisite commercial skill set to manage the company. Should a decision to be made to licence to an existing company the case manager will identify and contact these companies and negotiate terms of a licence in order to get a “fair return” for the inventor and the university.