Standard Operating Procedures

Disclosures

Faculty and Staff are encouraged to make disclosures for new inventions, technologies, processes, software, trademarks, or other intellectual property.  Disclosures are made to the Department of Industrial Cooperation; the University of Maine designated Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property Office.

Disclosures can be made formally using the Invention Disclosure Form or “Informally” through a meeting with the Executive Director.  Staff will work with the Inventor to evaluate the status of the intellectual property and develop a strategy for commercialization as required.

Commercialization Feasibility Analysis

1. Identify Inventors/Creators
2. Identify “sponsorship” if applicable – i.e. grant or contract
3. Identify ownership in accordance with the University of Maine System Policy
4. Identify reporting requirements
5. Identify current stage of development
6. Identify existing or potential commercialization partners
7. Identify additional R&D funding
8. Conduct In-house Prior Art search as applicable
9. Conduct Professional Prior Art search as applicable

The analysis of the above information will give preliminary guidance to the University and Inventor(s).  If the University elects to pursue commercialization, the Executive Director will work with the inventor(s) to develop and complete the necessary agreements to protect the University and inventor(s) and pursue the funding to complete commercialization.  These agreements may include:

Agreements
Confidential Disclosure Agreement – one way (Microsoft Word)
Confidential Disclosure Agreement – mutual (Microsoft Word)
Research Collaboration Agreement (Microsoft Word)
License Option Agreement
License Agreement (Microsoft Word)
Material Transfer Agreement

Discussions may include the inventor(s) interest in spin-off or start-up opportunities.  Referrals will be made to business start-up assistance, workshops, and incubator programs to help inventor(s) evaluate this opportunity.

More information regarding patents and copyrights can be found on the University of Maine System's Office of University Counsel website under Intellectual Property

Management

The Department of Industrial Cooperation performs project management and manages in excess of 200 projects a year. 

Each Technology project is given a unique account within our database/accounting system.  Patent expenses and revenues are tracked through this system.  All attorney correspondence, expenses, license revenues and expenses are tracked on a patent-by-patent basis. 

Jonnie Johnson, Fiscal and Administrative Manager and Karen Lidral, Grants Manger and Fiscal Officer, manage the back office system.

An “Access” database is used to track non-financial patent and license activity.  The University of Maine does not maintain a docketing system and relies on individual attorneys for docket support.  Attorneys provide UMaine with quarterly activity reports that include the status and dates of pending matters.

Email DIC or call 207-581-2201 for more information.

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