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USF Patents & Licensing (DPL)
Brief Guidelines
Quick
Links
When should I complete an Invention Disclosure
Form?
How
DPL handles Invention Disclosures
Research-Related
Policies, Procedures, and Guidelines
Since two of the major objectives of research
are to improve existing information and create novel results, it is important
to contact DPL before disclosing
or transferring information related to your research to other parties.
To fully protect your research, it is important that you contact us before any public disclosure
(publication or presentation) takes place.
When a USF employee
believes that they have discovered/invented a new and useful item, compound
or method (any art or process, machine, manufacture, design, or composition
of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof), the discovery must be
disclosed as soon as possible to the Division of Patents & Licensing for
evaluation and filing of appropriate documents. To obtain the best protection
for an invention, appropriate documentation must be prepared PRIOR to public
disclosure, i.e. public presentations (oral or poster), publications (abstracts
or full manuscripts).
An Invention
Disclosure needs to be completed and forwarded to the Division
of Patents & Licensing for the appropriate protection to be initiated.
This document needs to be as complete and detailed as possible, providing any
additional relevant materials that describe the invention (manuscripts, grant
proposal technical sections, etc.)
If publication or
presentation of the discovery/invention is imminent, be sure to bring the dates
of publication or presentations to the attention of DPL
staff.
The USF policy regarding ownership and disposition
of inventions and works is defined in terms of the various circumstances in
which inventions and works may result. Further, the allocation between USF and
the inventor/author of revenue derived from the commercial application of inventions
and works is stated in the USF Statement of Policy and Procedures
for Inventions and Works.
Disclosure is a simple process that requires
the inventor to answer questions about the discovery. Disclosure
Form
1. Does
this discovery address a unique problem or need?
2. Does
this discovery transcend what exists in the public domain?
3. Does
this discovery utilize a known technology in a new or unusual way?
4. Does this discovery provide advantages over current
state-of-the-art technologies?
(Is it faster, cheaper, lighter, stronger, or does it employ fewer steps or moving parts?)
5. Did this discovery receive an enthusiastic response
(i.e., from coworkers, associates, or readers of your
manuscript)?
Also visit the FAQ page for more information.
Maximizing the results of your research and knowing
your ideas are at work benefiting the public are two rewards of inventing.
Recognition of your talents, your lab, or your department are also key benefits,
in addition to contributing to the economy at large.
Academic inventions have spawned new industries, new companies, and countless new products.
USF also benefits from value-added prestige and recognition.
This
process is described in detail in the Statement of Policy & Procedures
for Inventions & Works (USF-0300) under section Review of Disclosures; Notification
of University's Interests
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Copyright © 2003, University of South Florida
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Division of Patents & Licensing, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, FAO126, Tampa,
FL 33620 Phone: (813) 974-0994 Fax: (813) 974-8490
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Direct questions or comments to
patents@research.usf.edu
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Last updated March 3, 2003 |