Yes. It is important to document carefully the date and conditions of use so that we can determine if this use may influence the commercialization potential of your subsequent research results. If you wish to obtain materials from outside collaborators, a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) should be completed.
Depending on the circumstances, certain research related materials (such as proteins, DNA, cell lines, microbes, plants, animals and chemicals) may be “transferred” from UConn to an outside entity, or such materials may be received by UConn from an outside entity. These transactions are mutually beneficial, because the sharing of materials greatly expands research opportunities. Generally, all material transfers going out of the university must be accompanied by a formal agreement that may address a variety of issues including: definition of materials, ownership of inventions, licensing, government rights, confidentiality, indemnity, publication and ownership of data. Frequently, incoming materials will be accompanied by an agreement from the source. MTAs will be generated, reviewed and negotiated by OVPR’s Sponsored Programs Service, the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) or TCS like any other research-related contract. Often such agreements are succinct descriptions of the transaction, and do not take long to complete. It also may be necessary to have a Non-Disclosure Agreement or Confidential Disclosure Agreement completed to protect your research results or intellectual property. Please see more at http://www.policy.uconn.edu For assistance, contact TCS.

Yes, but since patent rights are affected by these activities, it is best to submit an Invention Disclosure Form well before any public communication or disclosure. There are some important differences between the U.S. and other countries in terms of how early publication/presentation affects the ability to seek patent protection. Whenever public disclosure occurs, the inventor loses most worldwide patent rights for that invention. With the passage of the America Invents Act in 2011, the U.S. patent system became very similar to that of most other countries with only a weak, narrowly defined one-year grace period related to inventors’ own disclosures to seek patent protection. Whenever possible, contact TCS prior to public disclosure to make sure your work is appropriately protected.

The sponsored research agreement should specify the intellectual property rights of the sponsor. In the case of the U.S. government (NIH, NSF, etc.), a non-revocable, non-exclusive license to use the technology is maintained. For commercial sponsored research, the University of Connecticut retains ownership of the patent rights and other intellectual property resulting from the sponsored research. A sponsor may have rights to obtain a license to the intellectual property arising from the research.

Generally a sponsor will not have contractual rights to discoveries that are clearly outside the scope of the research (and that do not use funds from the research agreement). Therefore, it is important to carefully define the scope of work within a research agreement.

Consulting is an activity performed by a faculty member for compensation as a result of his/her expertise or prominence in his/her field while not acting in his/her official capacity as a state employee (i.e., in his or her own time.) UConn’s policies and bylaws prohibit faculty from consulting on “time due to the university.”

Researchers who enter into consulting agreements should familiarize themselves with UConn policies relevant to consulting activities. The researcher is expected to ensure that the terms of the consulting arrangement are consistent with the university’s policies, including those related to IP ownership, employment responsibilities and use of intellectual property. TCS is available to provide informal advice on how you’re consulting agreement relates to UConn’s intellectual property you have created. Please see more at: http://consulting.uconn.edu/.

See the Invention Ownership Flow Chart for more information or contact TCS at 860-679-3992 for help.