The University will not assert intellectual property rights when inventors have placed their inventions in the public domain. In the case of an invention resulting from a government-sponsored project, where OTL cannot or chooses not to retain ownership, rights would then typically be retained by the government. In such cases, the inventor may request and be granted rights by the sponsoring agency to an invention made under such an award, provided that a well-conceived and detailed plan for commercial development accompanies the request. The University encourages the development by industry for public use and benefit of inventions and technology resulting from University research. In some cases an exclusive license may be necessary to provide an incentive for a company to undertake commercial development and production.
Nonexclusive licenses allow several companies to exploit an invention.
The research and teaching missions of the University always take precedence over patent considerations. While the University recognizes the benefits of patent development, it is most important that the direction of University research not be established or unduly influenced by patent considerations or personal financial interests. OTL handles the evaluation, marketing, negotiations and licensing of University-owned inventions with commercial potential. In these cases, the School's portion goes to the Dean of Research. Similarly, when more than one department is involved, the inventor shall designate the distribution of the department and school thirds based on support of the work.