All faculty, staff and graduate students (hired in a research capacity) are required to sign the Penn State Intellectual Property Agreement http://www.research.psu.edu/ipo/IPA_form_3.pdf  This agreement states in part that if you invent something with potential commercial value using Penn State facilities and/or resources on Penn State time within the scope of your employment by Penn State, then Penn State owns the intellectual property.  Questions, clarifications or extenuating circumstances should be discussed with the Intellectual Property Office.

 
Undergraduate students and professional students (i.e. medical, law, MBA students) do not sign the Penn State Intellectual Property Agreement; therefore, own any intellectual property that they create unless there is a separate written agreement http://www.research.psu.edu/ipo/faculty_staff/Special_Student_Intellectual_Property_Ag_Forms.html

 
To notify the University that you have developed a technology, made an invention or written software with potential commercial value submit an invention disclosure http://www.research.psu.edu/ipo/faculty_staff/invdisc2.pdf or software disclosure http://www.research.psu.edu/ipo/faculty_staff/softdisc_2.pdf to the Intellectual Property Office through the appropriate dean of research or administrative officer in your college.

 
The Intellectual Property Office manages all Penn State intellectual property by:  1) assessing invention disclosures, 2) formulating and implementing appropriate protection strategies, 3) marketing technologies to potential licensees, 4) negotiating license agreements and 5) monitoring agreements after execution.  Note that not all invention disclosures are patented and patent decisions are based on the potential commercial value of the invention and other factors.

 
If you have an interest in starting a company, contact the Intellectual Property Office prior to formation of the company.

 
If you plan to send proprietary materials outside Penn State or receive proprietary materials from outside Penn State , contact the Intellectual Property Office to discuss if a Material Transfer Agreement is needed.

 
If you need a Confidential Disclosure Agreement to share Penn State confidential information with non-Penn Staters or to receive confidential information from outside Penn State , contact the Intellectual Property Office.

 
Remember that any enabling public disclosure (i.e. publication, presentation, thesis, thesis defense) has an immediate impact on patenting the disclosed intellectual property both inside the U.S. and internationally.  Public disclosures of Penn State intellectual property with potential commercial value should be coordinated with the Intellectual Property Office.

 
If you have questions regarding any intellectual property issue, contact the Intellectual Property Office.

 
Contact Information


Intellectual Property Office
The Pennsylvania State University
113 Technology Center
University Park , PA   16802-7000
Phone: (814) 865-6277
Fax: (814) 865-3591
E-mail: ipo@rtto.psu.edu
Website:  http://www.research.psu.edu/ipo/

Updated 11/17/05 - djs