- For Faculty & Staff
- Inventions, Startups, & Commercialization
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Submitting Invention Disclosures
Submitting an Invention Disclosure
Overview
The entrepreneurial ecosystem at Rutgers promotes an environment that motivates researchers to become deliberate innovators. The Office for Research plays an active role in the process of encouraging and educating Rutgers’ faculty about the patenting and licensing process, which results in more promising technologies with greater commercial potential.
When to Disclose
You can disclose an invention whenever you feel you have discovered something unique with possible commercial value. The Office for Research encourages you to communicate frequently with our Technology Transfer team regarding your technologies as we can offer advice on timing of disclosing, patentability and potential paths to commercialization. Note that invention disclosure is not the same as a "public disclosure."
Disclosing your invention to the Office for Research prior to any public disclosure is essential for patent protection. A public disclosure can occur through publications, abstracts, poster sessions, dissertation publications, conferences, press releases, blogs, social media posts, videos, etc. We recommend submitting your invention disclosure 3-4 weeks prior to your public disclosure.
Submitting Notice of Invention
When you disclose an invention to the Office for Research, it begins the process that could result in the commercialization of the technology. The invention disclosure is filed with our office by completing the Notice of Invention Form or submitting using the Innovator Portal.
The Notice of Invention is a confidential document that is Rutgers’ record of an invention, the inventors involved, sponsorships and other related information. Once the inventor submits this form, a licensing manager will be assigned to the technology and an evaluation of the technology will begin.
Submitting an invention disclosure to our office does not automatically mean your invention will be filed or patented.
Overview
During its educational and research activities, the Rutgers community generates a rich array of valuable Copyrighted Materials (“Works”) that span numerous fields. Those Works have great commercial and social potential, which can be realized through partnerships free from the constraints of the university.
Definitions
Software and Copyrighted Works cover diverse application areas including finance, public safety, life sciences and beyond. Types of Works covered include:
- Software including mobile, tools, embedded systems, and cloud applications as well as algorithmic and bioinformation methods;
- Content Works such as curriculum, training materials and workbooks, questionnaires, diagnostic instruments, designs, design specifications;
- Multimedia content such as images, videos, and audio.
Submitting Notice of Software
Our Licensing Managers specialize in assessing and commercializing these types of Works and collaborate with both faculty and industry partners to find the best fit between Works and partner opportunities. Whether a licensing deal, a sponsored research grant or a consulting opportunity, the team works to create and ensure a smooth, efficient, and productive engagement that is agnostic as to relationship structure.
When you disclose software or copyrighted works to Innovation Ventures, it begins the process that could result in the commercialization of your technology. The notice is filed with our office by using the Innovator Portal or completing the Notice of Software and/or Notice of Authorship for Copyrighted Works. The notice is a confidential document that formally begins the technology commercialization process. Once the author/creator submits this form or uses the Innovator Portal to dislose his/her work, a licensing manager is assigned to the technology and an evaluation will begin.
About the Portal
The Innovator Portal allows Rutgers researchers to disclose their innovations, including inventions, software, copyrighted works and materials-only.