The University of Connecticut owns any invention conceived by its employees in the performance of customary or assigned duties involving the use of University facilities, staff, or any other University resources (see also, Research Collaborations with Industrial Partners) . This includes all sponsored research projects whether funded by public or private sources. The University will normally grant to the sponsor the option to a license to any inventions made as a direct result of the funded research, on terms to be negotiated after the invention has been disclosed.

Copyrights (including copyright to software) vest in the author of the work but, by statute, University may enter into agreements for disposal of the copyrighted work. The sponsor is typically granted a royalty-free license for its internal use and an option to a license for commercial purposes on terms to be negotiated separately at a later point.

Among several missions of a public research university is the generation of knowledge to be made freely available so as to facilitate future understanding and to provide for public benefit. Accordingly, the University has to be free to publish the results of all studies performed, including those supported by sponsored research funding. No restrictions are acceptable that limit the use and distribution of any student’s research and/or thesis conducted in conjunction with his/her academic program.

The University, however, recognizes the legitimate proprietary concerns of industrial sponsors and will strive to protect their confidential data as required. The sponsor may review proposed publications in order to identify any inadvertent disclosure of proprietary information and to provide for patent protection. Manuscripts will be submitted to the sponsor thirty days prior to journal submission with the possibility of an additional delay of up to sixty days to allow for the filing of patent applications.

Contracts with sponsors are generally performed on a cost-reimbursement “no-profit / no-loss” basis. The University expects to recover both direct and indirect costs of the research project. Whenever possible, the University furthermore requires advance payment prior to commencement of work.

Since research is by nature unpredictable and without guarantee of success, research at the University is conducted on a reasonable-efforts basis. The University, therefore, cannot accept contract provisions that guarantee results, impose penalties for failure to make progress by firm deadlines, or provide for withholding of payment if the sponsor is not satisfied with the results. Furthermore, the University cannot accept contract provisions that require it to indemnify and hold harmless the sponsor or carry liability insurance in addition to the types and levels required by the State of Connecticut.

The University’s Conflict of Interest Procedures govern requirements for investigator disclosures of financial conflict of interest. The University, moreover, does not accept contracts with blanket provisions that preclude the investigator from performing research for other sponsors in related areas.

In the event a sponsor terminates a research agreement, the University expects to be reimbursed for all costs incurred to the date of termination and for all uncancellable obligations incurred prior to termination.

Being an agency of the State of Connecticut, the University and its research agreements must be governed and construed by Connecticut State Law.

Article XVI of the Laws, By-Laws, and Rules of the University of Connecticut stipulates that the “name or insignia of the University shall not be used by any group not duly organized as a part of the University, nor by any individual, without the approval of the President”.