IP Management at the
University of Sussex
Russell Nicholls
IP Manager
[email protected]
About me…
• First degree – Neuroscience
• Career path?
• Second degree – IP Management
• Opportunities
• HE sector
Strategy headlines
UoS Research Strategy Theme 4 – Feb 07
• “In partnership with others, contribute to socio-economic well
being, both in the region, nationally and internationally, as a
result of exchanging ideas, knowledge and technology.”
• “play a major role in society and the economy, through
productive knowledge exchange, including the licensing of
intellectual property, patent registration and company creation.”
• “embed a positive, sustainable enterprise culture throughout the
University.”
Sainsbury Review – Oct ‘07
• Increasing competition in global economy
• Focus on science, technology and innovation for UK
• Roles for Government depts, Industry/SMEs, RCs and new TSB
• “The role of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the knowledge
economy:
- “HEIs play an increasing role in the economy and the UK, with its
world-class universities, is well placed.
- “Research, teaching and knowledge transfer are fundamental roles
for any HEI.”
What is it?
• Knowledge Transfer
- Exchange of ideas, results, experiences and skills between
universities, other research organisations, business,
government, the public sector and the wider community to
enable innovation
• Intellectual Property
- Diverse set of property ownership rights concerning creations,
ideas, expression and intellectual output.
- Protection against plagiarism, piracy, copying – rewards
innovation
- Can be sold, transferred, securitised etc
Introduction to IP
• Patents
• Know how (trade secrets/
confidential information)
• Copyright
• Designs
• Plant cultivars
• Trade Marks
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Geographical indications
Performers rights
Circuit board topography
Database right
Sound recording
Software
Patents in detail
• Inventions, processes, methods, products can be patented
• Criteria:
- Novel – never before disclosed
- Inventive – not obvious to skilled person
- Industrially applicable
• Must be registered and examined
• 20 year monopoly
• Difficult, expensive and long process to get a patent
• Very strong protection against infringement
Copyright in detail
• Protects literary, musical and artistic creative works, recordings of
sound and film and broadcasts etc
• Automatic right that exists as soon as the work is expressed or fixed –
eg written. © 2008 R.Q.Nicholls
• Does not protect an idea, a name or an article.
• Prevents copying, adapting, distributing, performing, broadcasting or
other communication to the public.
• Various length of protection between life of author plus 70 years and 25
years from creation.
• Includes a ‘Moral Right’ for the creator to be identified and to object to
derogatory treatment.
IP Policy
• Employer owns all Employee IP
• Patents and software – commercial exploitation
• Copyright – academic dissemination
• Students own their IP (*usually)
• University decides best IP Strategy
• Set aside budget to pay for costs
• Revenue sharing of income
Policy updates
New Opportunity
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‘Technology Transfer’ favours science and technology
New world order – ambitious senior management team
Enterprise Board – at planning stage
Support for knowledge-based business opportunities
University grants for IP, marketing support, academic or teaching
buy-out
• Contact: [email protected]
• Even an early stage idea can get advice or guidance
• Get involved!
Thanks for listening
Exec Summary:
Government strategy feeds into University strategy
Principles of IP
Policy issues
Chance to use your ideas to engage…
[email protected]