Search
StaffNet Wellbeing Support

Spin-outs and IP Policy

In this section
Spin-outs and IP Policy

If you have an invention or an idea that you would like to protect, we can discuss the Intellectual Property of this and how it can be protected. We can also support you in considering whether to commercialise your research through a spin-out company.

Student IP

The Impact and Knowledge Exchange team supports IP and commercialisation queries from post graduate students and academic staff. We also try and assist in sourcing funding to support any inventions arising out of research projects.

Undergraduate Students

The ABVentures team supports IP and commercialisation queries from staff, students and alumni which is not related to research.

  • Contact the ABVentures team or visit the ABVentures website for more information.
Intellectual Property, Equity and Revenue Sharing Policy

The University's Intellectual Property, Equity and Revenue Sharing Policy may be found on the Policy Zone.

The University of Aberdeen has fully adopted the best practices proposed by the 2023 Independent Review of University Spin Out Companies from HM Treasury.

Intellectual Property

Intellectual Property (IP) is information, ideas and inventions in a tangible form. There are numerous types of IP, some of which are protected automatically, and some of which require protection through an examination process.

Types of IP

Patents

Patents protect ways of making things and ways of doing things. Examples of patentable inventions include the composition of drug molecules, engineering designs, medical devices, construction materials, measurement technologies.

Trademarks

Trademarks provide a 'badge of origin' to describe goods and services. They help to distinguish one provider from another. Trademarks can be registered® or unregistered ™.

Copyright

Copyright© is an automatic right awarded to a variety of different written and recorded materials.Examples of materials protected by copyright include essays, books, drawings, photographs and software.

Design Rights

Design covers what something looks like and designs can be protected through an application for design rights. Examples include decorative (printed patterns) and functional (MP3 player) objects.

Database Rights

Databases are covered by copyright but there is additional protection that covers the selection and arrangement of data in a database that protects the compiler.

Other types of IP can be protected are available. Contact the Impact and Knowledge Exchange Team for further information.

IP that can't be protected is known as Confidential Know-How or just know-how. Know-how can be protected through the use of Confidentiality Agreements (also called Non-disclosure Agreements).

Further Information

The UK Intellectual Property Office is a useful resource for further information on all types of IP.
Invention Disclosure Procedure

If you have an enquiry about an invention or the invention disclosure process, please contact the Impact and Knowledge Exchange team .

Checklist for invention disclosure and technology assessment

Complete an invention disclosure form:

  • The Invention Disclosure Form is the basis of our IP evaluation and registration process and often a patent. It serves as a log of all the steps that have contributed to the idea, including funding sources, past and present collaborators, what has been published/disclosed to date, the likely market interest. Also included is the list of inventors plus the proportion of each inventor's contribution.
  • Contact the Impact and Knowledge Exchange team for a Disclosure Form, or alternatively download the Invention Disclosure Form.

Next steps

  • The Impact and Knowledge Exchange team will work with you to assess the invention and to determine the best route for IP protection and exploitation. This is likely to involve:
    • Technology and Market readiness check
    • Inventor's aspirations and objectives
    • Whether the IP should be protected through a patent application or another route
    • Support that can be provided through the University
    • Reviewing sources of funding to support technology development
Useful Links
  • The UK Patent Office web site has information not only on patents, but also on other forms of intellectual property protection, such as registered trade marks, design registration, as well as copyright and other unregistered intellectual property rights.
  • The British Technology Group is a global technology investment and development company operating in the life and physical sciences industry sectors.
  • The British Library Science Technology and Business Patents Information Service
  • The European IPR Helpdesk is a central reference point for Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) enquiries established by the European Commission.
  • Intellectual Property : Government-backed home of UK Intellectual Property on the Internet.
  • The European Patent Office has set up a free service on the Internet - esp@cenet(r) - giving researchers free access to a wealth of technical information. It is now possible to run an introductory search easily on more than 30 million patent documents.
  • United States Copyright Office
  • United States Patent and Trademark Office

Public Databases

For a search of publications in scientific journals, input keywords supplied by inventor into search field in http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed .

Wellbeing Support