Inventors' Guide

Illustration of technology evaluation process

  • Invention Disclosures: The technology transfer process begins when a completed Invention Disclosure form [Word] is sent to MSUT. An invention disclosure is a confidential form that fully documents an invention so that all options for commercialization can be evaluated and pursued.

  • Screening: When a technology is screened, it is examined to make a preliminary determination of its commercial value. This step determines whether it should move forward in the process for a more in-depth assessment.

  • Assessment: During an assessment, MSUT will conduct patent searches (if applicable) and analyze the market and competitive technologies to determine the invention’s commercialization potential. Those technologies found to have high commercial potential will move on to receive IP protection and marketing.

  • IP Protection: Patent protection begins with the filing of a patent application with the U.S. Patent Office and, when appropriate, foreign patent offices. Once a patent application has been filed, it will require several years and thousands of dollars to obtain issued U.S. and foreign patents. Copyright is an alternative protection for certain types of technologies.

  • Marketing: General promotion of technologies will be pursued through trade shows, technology briefings, and other events to identify candidate companies that have the expertise, resources, and business networks to bring the technology to market. Your active involvement can dramatically improve the likelihood of successful licensing and is encouraged.

  • Start-up companies: If the technology lends itself well for the creation of a new business start-up, MSUT will work with inventors to try to identify entrepreneurs and investors to assist or take the lead in planning, creating, and funding the new company.

  • Licenses: A license agreement is a contract between the university and a third party in which the university’s rights to a technology are licensed (without relinquishing ownership) for financial and other benefits. A license agreement is used with both a new start-up business or with an established company.

  • Commercialization: Once the licensing process is complete, the licensee continues the advancement of the technology to develop the product or service. This step may entail further development, regulatory approvals, sales and marketing, support, training, and other activities.

  • Revenue/Royalties: Revenues received from licensees are shared between the inventors and the university according to University Policy to fund additional research and education and to encourage further participation in the technology transfer process.