Intellectual Property

Developing or Commercializing Inventions

Technology transfer is the formal transfer of rights from Rensselaer to another party for the use and commercialization of new discoveries and innovations resulting from scientific research. The process of transferring Rensselaer technology generally includes identifying, protecting, and licensing Rensselaer intellectual property.

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Who owns an Invention

Rensselaer owns inventions developed by faculty, staff, students and fellows of Rensselaer whose conception, creation, development, or first reduction to practice involved significant use of Rensselaer support. Each inventor must assign their rights in the Intellectual Property Policy to Rensselaer. This includes all faculty, staff, students and fellows who have an appointment at Rensselaer. When in doubt, it is best to contact us a 518-276-6023 or email at  innovation@rpi.edu.

Assessment of Intellectual Property

Working closely with the inventor, IPTL will perform a commercial and technical evaluation of the invention. The decision to pursue patent protection is based upon the following 
two factors:
• Patentability and ability to enforce the patent
• Marketability and commercial potential of the invention
 
Protection of Intellectual Property

If IPTL decides to file for patent protection, it will engage a law firm that specializes in the subject matter of the invention. The law firm will identify the inventors, construct claims when necessary, and submit the required paperwork to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and applicable foreign patent offices. The inventor works personally with attorneys to review drafts and to ensure the technology is thoroughly understood.
 
Licensing and Commercializing an Invention

The appropriate path for commercializing an invention depends upon marketplace conditions, attributes of the technology, the expertise of potential entrepreneurs, and the availability of funds. Certain technologies, particularly software packages, may be licensed directly from IPTL’s website. Terms of these agreements vary, but may include up-front fees payable to Rensselaer, royalty percentages and schedules payable over a number of years, or further research funding with options to license the resulting technology.

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