Intellectual Property at UNI
The University of Northern Iowa is committed to encouraging, facilitating, and promoting development of patentable or copyrightable intellectual property and know-how to benefit the inventor, the educational mission of University, industry and the people of Iowa.
Intellectual Property
noun
Intellectual Property (IP) can be defined as any new, novel, and useful product that is created by the mind of individuals through their own research and development. The creation of new inventions and improvement of earlier technologies are the primary driving force of our economy today. In order to expand and run more efficiently, our economy relies on the sharing and transfer of technology.
Intellectual Property Process
Step 1
Inventors work with the Intellectual Property Officer (IPO) and Business and Community Services (BCS) to complete the intellectual property disclosure.
Step 2
If the disclosure is judged to have promise, the IPO will help the faculty, staff, or student to develop an intellectual property protection approach and a preliminary business approach if appropriate.
Step 3
The Disclosure and analysis of the IP are reported to the University’s Intellectual Property Committee (IPC), a faculty and staff committee managed by the Office of Intellectual Property in BCS. After review and discussion of the disclosure, a determination is made whether to move forward with IP protection.
Step 4
The Research Foundation and BCS may provide assistance when applying for a patent or pursuing research. The decision whether to apply for a patent must weigh the cost of the application against the benefits.
