Disclosing your IP

We can help you protect your idea and find pathways to develop it further. Here’s how, when and why you must tell us about your Intellectual Property (IP).

Your obligations

You must disclose to the University any IP created that:

  • Might have commercial application or represents a novel solution that could be protected
  • Is developed under a contracted agreement governing ownership or use of the IP
  • Is developed under contracted agreement or third-party agreement that obliges the University to disclose the IP to a third party.

This applies to honorary appointees and graduate researchers, as well as University staff.

If industry or government funds were used for your research, you might also have obligations and reporting requirements to the funding party.

Benefits of disclosing

When you disclose the IP to the University, the information remains confidential and does not compromise any future patent or other forms of protection.

It opens the door to University-provided business support services, programs and funding to help you explore the potential of your research. It could also lead to the development of products or services based on your discovery or creation.

IP creators, including graduate researchers, share 40 per cent of the proceeds from licensing the IP, net of costs incurred by the University to protect, maintain and commercialise it. Your faculty receives 40 per cent, and the University receives the remaining 20 per cent.

When should I disclose IP?

The best time to tell us about your IP is early – ideally, well before communicating your IP to anyone outside the University.

Disclosing early means it’s less likely you’ll be delayed in sharing the IP publicly.

It’s important to complete the disclosure well before revealing the IP through publications, conferences, media releases, other communications, or even verbally. Ideally,  allow several months to protect the IP before publishing or talking to any external parties, especially prospective investors.

Tell us about your IP before you:

  • Publish
  • Present it at a conference
  • Send out a media release
  • Talk to anyone outside the University.

If you don’t, this may mean you can’t take your idea to market later.

For more information, refer to:

How do I disclose IP?

As soon as you believe you have created IP that may have commercial application, submit an IP Disclosure (UoM staff/student log in required).

An IP disclosure is a detailed description of your idea or creation.

Before completing the form, consult with others who have been involved in creating the IP  so they are aware you are completing an IP Disclosure.

What happens next?

Once we receive your IP Disclosure Form, we can help you protect your idea and find pathways to develop it further. Working with you, the Knowledge and Technology Transfer team will assess the IP and its commercial potential before making a recommendation on next steps, if appropriate.

The questions in relation to the IP at this stage include:

  • Impact potential: Why is it new and original? Why hasn't it been done before?
  • Market/customer opportunity: Does it solve a problem with benefits for end-users or next users?
  • IP position: What is the nature of the intellectual property? Has it been published or disclosed?
  • Development stage: Do you have supporting data or proof-of-concept?
  • Ownership and rights: Who are the creators? Are there other collaborators?

If you have any questions, contact the University’s Knowledge and Technology Transfer team.

First published on 10 July 2025.

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