Intellectual property rights and agreements

According to Uppsala University's guidelines, the originator – that is, the person who came up with the idea – owns it. There can be exceptions to this main rule, for example, if you have signed an agreement or participated in a research project that regulates the ownership of research results. The bottom line is that there is not always a simple answer, and the question may require further examination.

Feel free to seek assistance from UU Innovation to investigate if you own your idea and to ensure that you protect your rights when signing an agreement.

Take the time to read the agreement thoroughly. The most crucial thing is to fully understand the content of the agreement before you sign it. Otherwise, you may inadvertently transfer your rights to publications, results, or research. So, if anything in the agreement is unclear or if you do not understand what is written, always ask and seek help if needed. It is always possible to address these issues beforehand, but it can be very difficult and sometimes even impossible to correct them after you have signed something you later regret.

Already in the early stages, it is crucial to have agreements in place that clarify rights, obligations, and expectations between the parties. A good agreement is always tailored to the specific situation. In the early stages of idea development, two agreements are particularly crucial. The first regulates ownership and usage rights to the commercially interesting idea. The second agreement, a confidentiality agreement, is essential when you need to share information about your invention or idea with other parties. The confidentiality agreement is particularly valuable in enabling intellectual property protection, such as patents, in the future.

As an employee of Uppsala University, you are covered by the so-called Professors' Privilege or "Teachers' Exemption. In short, this means that you own the results of your research. This gives you the opportunity to patent your results and sell the rights, start a company based on your idea, or otherwise work to utilise the results.

Yes, there are. Uppsala University has developed guidelines for how intellectual assets created at the university should be managed. These guidelines are particularly helpful for externally funded research that is conditioned on the financier taking over or having the right to use the research results.

Access the guidelines on the research agreements page

The area of intellectual property can be complex, but it is essential when developing an idea to utilise research results. Our advisors help you navigate the field, from mapping to strategy, so that you are confident that the fruits of your work are handled and utilised as you wish.

Seek help from UU Innovation to:

• Identify knowledge assets in research projects
• Explore opportunities to create intellectual property rights, including novelty assessment and patentability evaluation
• Receive advice on appropriate forms of protection for an idea, such as patents, trademarks, designs, and copyright
• Develop a strategy for intellectual property rights aligned with publication strategies and utilisation plans
• File a patent, receive assistance with financing the patent application, and connect with patent attorneys
• Receive guidance on agreements
• Get answers to your questions regarding intellectual property rights

A good rule of thumb is as early as possible. This way, you avoid worrying about revealing too much during a presentation or application, or risking a publication delay. By involving us in the early stages, we can help develop a sustainable strategy for handling your existing and future results.

If your idea has been made public, it is generally not eligible for patent protection. However, there are exceptions, so contact us as soon as possible. All forms of utilisation do not depend on having a patent, and not all new ideas can be patented either. We can help investigate and suggest the best way to control and protect your idea based on your specific situation.

Start by scheduling a meeting with UU Innovation. We provide support and advice on patenting. A good patent application often needs to be supported by experiments and results that differ from what is presented in scientific publications. Our advisors are knowledgeable about this process, and you will receive guidance on what needs to be done to formulate a solid patent application. However, we always begin with an evaluation to determine if a patent is a suitable strategy. Is patenting necessary in the industry targeted by your idea, or is there another and better way to protect it? If patenting becomes relevant, UU Innovation can help you seek funding and connect with patent attorneys to finalise the application.

There is much more to say about patenting, and our advisors are happy to provide more information. One of the most important things to remember is to do things in the right order:

• You must protect your results by submitting a patent application before publishing the results, such as at a conference, in an article, or in an application to a research financier.
• Seek help, and do it early! Initiating a patent application process can be cumbersome if you are not accustomed to it. UU Innovation supports you throughout the journey.