Washington University Office of Technology Management -- Intellectual Property Policy

Mailing Address:
660 S. Euclid Avenue
Campus Box 8013
St. Louis, MO 63110
(314) 747-0920
(314) 362-5872 (fax)

Street Address:
724 S. Euclid Avenue
Suite 2259
St. Louis, MO 63110

Intellectual Property Policy

In order to accomplish the transfer of technology to the public, the University has created policies that provide guidelines to secure protection of University intellectual property. The purpose of these policies is "to encourage commerce and industry to invest their resources to develop and distribute products and processes for public use." Without protection for the ideas, companies cannot afford to invest their capital.

In these policies, the University asks you to disclose your ideas in a thorough and timely manner and to retain all records and documents that will protect your interests and those of the University. Furthermore, we ask that you assist us in the transfer process-your knowledge of the science and your relationships with others in your field are invaluable tools to help us create the best transaction possible.

The Intellectual Property Policy also covers the distribution of net income from license agreements: 35 percent to you, the inventor; 40 percent to your school; and 25 percent to the Office of Research and Office of Technology Management. In many cases, inventors will also receive a portion of the school share for their laboratories.

Faculty investigators often ask about publication issues. The primary mission of the University is to develop and disseminate knowledge. Publication is a key part of that mission. If managed properly, you can both publish and protect the potential commercial value of your work. To do this, we ask that you submit an Invention Disclosure form 60 days prior to public disclosure of your intellectual property.

Please call us at (314) 747-0920 or e-mail us if you have any questions regarding the intellectual property policy.

University Intellectual Property Policy