Research and development work conducted at the University at Buffalo is the basis for discovering novel technologies and developing useful new computer software.
When you believe that you have discovered a novel technology or developed useful new computer software, you should submit a New Technology Disclosure Form to STOR. It is important to submit your disclosure to STOR prior to making any public disclosure of your discovery. Premature public disclosure can jeopardize intellectual property protection.
Disclosure of your discovery or software provides STOR with the documentation it needs to conduct an initial assessment of potential intellectual property protection (patent, copyright, etc.) and commercialization opportunities. STOR will work closely with you to conduct a market opportunity assessment and patentability evaluation of your disclosure.
Depending on the results of the disclosure assessment, STOR will determine whether to file for a patent or copyright, to hold the work pending additional development, or to close the file. When a decision is made to file for patent or copyright protection, STOR uses outside legal counsel to prepare the appropriate applications. Less expensive provisional patent applications are often filed to secure one year of intellectual property protection while additional development work is completed prior to investing in a more expensive non-provisional patent application. This process also supports your publication schedule by providing intellectual property protection prior to public disclosure.
Working with you, STOR actively markets the university's intellectual property portfolio to potential licensees. As an inventor, you are an integral part of this marketing process: Successful leads typically come from inventors' industry contacts who champion these inventions within their own organizations.
STOR works on behalf of you and the university to negotiate favorable license agreements. An invention may be licensed to an existing company, a start-up, or a development company. Each license agreement is unique, but common elements include licensing fees, royalties, patent reimbursements, and commercialization milestones.
Companies that license a UB technology frequently do further research and development to refine the technology. The invention may be transformed into a new product or service, or used to enhance the company's existing processes or product lines.
When a company uses a licensed technology in a product or service, royalties, based on a percentage of sales, are paid back to the inventor and university. This income further fuels the research and development programs at UB. Inventors receive 40 percent of the licensing revenues generated from their discoveries or computer software.
