It used to be that all such details sent to agencies of the Federal Government were publications, since they were accessible by the public under Freedom of Information laws. Not all publications defeat patentability. Therefore, it is possible to have any manner of written or oral communications without defeating patentability, just so long as the details conveyed are insufficient to enable duplications of the invention. With so many ways to lose patentability, it may seem that a researcher cannot have both patents and publication. There are a number of ways to protect patentability while still being able to publish and collaborate.
Publication defeats patentability only if it occurs before filing for patent protection.
Hence, one easy way of protecting patentability is to have a patent application on file before the publication, the poster session, the discussion at a scientific meeting, etc. Patent applications on University inventions are filed by the Technology Transfer Office. Thus, simply communicating with that Office prior to publication can make all the difference in the world. It is essential that researchers think of patentability before they publish. Given a modicum of advance notice, the Technology Transfer Office can make sure that all patent rights are protected and that publication can go forward without problem or delay.