Industry IP principles

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Collaborating with the University can lead to the creation of new intellectual property (IP). These new creations may include inventions, documents, products, services, processes or software. We have established some IP management principles to make it easier to collaborate with us.

What is IP?

IP refers to intangible products of the mind. It includes, but is not limited to:

  • literary, artistic, musical and dramatic works
  • field and laboratory notebooks
  • cinematographic and multimedia works
  • performances of performing artists, sound recordings and broadcast
  • patentable and non-patentable inventions
  • registered and unregistered designs, plant varieties and topographies
  • circuit layouts
  • registered and unregistered trademarks, service marks and commercial names and designations
  • other databases, computer software and related material
  • scientific discoveries
  • know-how and other proprietary information.

We use patents, trademark or copyright laws, and legal contracts to register or protect these creations.

Who benefits from IP creation?

Any IP that we create together may have the potential to deliver impact. This may be social impact, by making the world a better place. Or it could have a commercial or economic application.

The University encourages an entrepreneurial culture. So, we share the profits between all IP creators. In this context, a creator is any person who has contributed to the origination of the IP. This includes visitors at the University.

How do we manage IP?

We want to be a research partner of choice. IP is a product of, and essential to, our partner collaborations – but it can be complex to manage. So, it is important to consider IP management at the outset. This will help to achieve the impact being sought, but also to prevent delays and avoid disputes.

A set of principles guides the management of, and access to, University-owned IP.

What are the University’s IP Principles?

Deliver impact and benefit

The University works with partners who can help increase access to our research. This means that our IP will benefit society and drive real-world impact.

Easy to do business with

We are prompt and transparent when negotiating IP arrangements. We develop our arrangements in keeping with these principles.

Agree terms upfront

We set clear IP management and ownership arrangements with our partners. This happens at the start of any collaborative activity.

Led by the party best placed to commercialise

Whichever party is best placed to create impact from our IP will lead the commercialisation process.

Share the value: We offer commercial incentives so that our partners use our IP

In return, we expect fair and reasonable consideration. This relates to access to, and commercialisation of, University owned, developed or jointly owned IP.

Preserve the ability to publish, teach and undertake research

We will retain the rights to IP if it facilitates our primary activities of research, teaching or ability to publish.

To discuss your challenge or opportunity further, email ip-mailbox@unimelb.edu.au

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