Why Protect My Research Discoveries?

There are plenty of reasons to secure intellectual property protection for your invention. Here are just a few:

Make an Impact

Whether you work to make medical therapies more effective, computers faster, cars safer or video games more realistic, your research could ultimately have a positive impact on people's lives. Grants and journal articles are good ways to get the word out to your colleagues, but to get your technology to the general population, you need a company willing to take it to the marketplace. Companies interested in commercializing early-stage research often require intellectual property protection so that they can exclusively bring the technology to the public — and profit from their investment in developing it. It may seem counterintuitive, but patenting your research can really be the best way to get it out to the world.

Advance Your Career

Over the past several years, universities like U.Va. have been placing an increasing amount of importance on academic technology transfer. Whether you're just starting out as a faculty member or you've been around a while, commercializing your technology could be an exciting new frontier for you to tackle in your career — and to add to your CV.

Generate New Funding

A successful invention could lead the industry licensee to fund additional research in your lab for years to come.

Fulfill Requirements

If your discovery was made under a sponsored research agreement or a foundation or federal grant, the agreement terms may require you to disclose it to the sponsor, the government and/or U.Va. The University Patent Policy also requires the disclosure of new inventions by U.Va. inventors. We at the U.Va. Patent Foundation realize that researchers need to use their best judgment when deciding when and whether to disclose a new idea, and our licensing professionals are happy to discuss your ideas with you if you're not certain whether to disclose. To talk to a licensing professional, call 434.924.2175.

Reward Yourself

Not every invention disclosed results in royalty payments, but there is the potential to earn quite a bit of money for you, for your lab and for the University. See the University's royalty distribution schedule.

It's Exciting

Technology transfer can add an entirely new dimension to your research. Your discoveries could evolve into a product or service people can enjoy — something researchers don't often get to see happen during their lifetime.

Why Not?

Not sure if your idea is an invention? Uncertain about its commercial potential? Why not share your idea with the invention and commercialization experts at the U.Va. Patent Foundation? Disclosing your technology to the Patent Foundation is simple, and it won't cost you a dime — one form is all it takes: File a Disclosure Form.

Next: File a Disclosure Form