University of Virginia Library

Definition of University Research and Researcher

For the purpose of this Patent Policy and any documents developed for its implementation, University research is defined as research and related activities by any person a) which are related in any way to duties or responsibilities for which he has been compensated either by or through the University or b) for which facilities owned, operated, or controlled by the University are used.

Products of research eligible for copyright protection are excluded from this definition.

Modification of this definition of University research may be effected by the terms of a contract between the University and another public or private agency or, in exceptional circumstances, in the patent agreement with an individual University researcher.

A researcher is any person who may be engaged in University research.

Administrative Responsibilities

1. Associate Provost for Research

Responsibility for the administration of the University of Virginia Patent Policy is assigned to the Associate Provost for Research.

• The Associate Provost for Research shall
• 1) develop standards and procedures appropriate for the implementation of this policy;
• 2) obtain, maintain, and insure compliance with signed patent agreements 1) between the University and each researcher and 2) between the researcher and a sponsor agency as required by the terms of a grant or contract;
• 3) judge whether an invention or discovery is the product of University research;
• 4) advise the inventor whether an invention or discovery which is the product of University research is patentable;
• 5) determine whether the University should claim equity in the patenting of an invention or discovery which is the product of University research, or whether all rights should be waived in favor of the inventor. In the latter case, the inventor should be informed in writing by the Associate Provost for Research that the University relinquishes all claims to the invention or discovery;
• 6) take appropriate steps in behalf of the University for the patenting and/or marketing of an invention or discovery in which the University has an equity;
• 7) administer the royalties accruing to the University as a result of the implementation of this policy in accordance with guidelines of the University Research Policy Council

Decisions regarding the University's rights to an invention shall be made within a reasonable time so that an inventor's options are not compromised unnecessarily.

2. The Office of Sponsored Programs

• In implementing the Patent Policy, the Office of Sponsored Programs shall
• 1) inform the Office of the Associate Provost for Research and principal investigator of all requirements regarding patents in any grant or contract accepted by the University of Virginia;
• 2) with the aid of the principal investigator and in conjunction with the Office of the Associate Provost for Research, provide all invention reports and other pertinent information regarding patents as required by the terms of a grant, contract, or agreement to which the University is party.

3. The University Research Policy Council

• The University Research Policy Council shall
• 1) approve the standards and procedures and any amendment thereto developed by the Associate Provost for Research for the implementation of the Patent Policy;
• 2) establish guidelines for use of royalties accruing to the University as a result of the implementation of this policy;
• 3) review the actions of the Associate Provost for Research which are appealed by researchers and recommend appropriate action.
• 4) conduct an annual review of the patent program with the Associate Provost for Research.

Distribution of Royalties to the Inventor(s)

In general, the inventor(s) will receive from any product of University research fifteen percent of the gross royalties which accrue from inventions for which the University obtains a patent.

An institutional agreement between the University and an outside patent management firm, such as the University of Virginia Alumni Patents Foundation or Research Corporation, or between the University and a Federal agency, such as the National Institutes Of Health, will specify a distribution of royalties.

Individual grants or contracts for sponsored University research with public or private agencies may specify an assignment of patent(s) ownership and distribution of royalties of which the researcher shall be informed before research is conducted under such an award or contract.