The Office of Technology Management (OTM) manages the intellectual property generated by research activities at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The OTM's mission is to encourage innovation, enhance research, and facilitate economic development through the transfer of intellectual property (IP). We provide services to campus that include the identification, evaluation, patenting, marketing and licensing of IP. This periodic newsletter provides updates on OTM activities and issues involving intellectual property.
Fall 2011 Newsletter Contents
Did you know? Thesis Deposits and Patentability
AMERICA INVENTS ACT
In September 2011, the America Invents Act became law and put in place the biggest change to the U.S. patent system since 1952. These changes (including the much-discussed "first-inventor-to-file" provision) will affect University researchers who are interested in patenting their discoveries.
The intention of the America Invents Act is to speed up the patent process, to encourage innovation, to spur job creation, and to align United States patent laws more closely with international patent laws.
The Office of Technology Management (OTM) is closely monitoring the evolution of the new system and working with our IP attorneys to continue making decisions in the best interests of the University’s intellectual property.
Although much remains unknown, the OTM believes the new law will NOT adversely impact our ability to commercialize the University’s intellectual property.
Early next year the OTM will host a series of informational events around campus to answer questions about the AIA. Please check our events calendar for times and locations.
Check our website for updates on the America Invents Act at http://otm.illinois.edu/aia. There you can also find more detailed outlines of the major changes to the Patent Law as well as answers to the FAQ's our office has been receiving.
ANNUAL REPORT
Our office's FY2011 Annual Report was recently released. Check out some of our significant achievements from this last fiscal year here!
I-START
EnterpriseWorks, the start-up incubator in the Research Park, recently launched a new program called I-Start. The purpose of the award program is to assist startup businesses with obtaining professional services. I-Start will offer a suite of first-year startup services for new University of Illinois entrepreneurs including business development, legal setup, SBIR application, bookkeeping assistance, and marketing assistance. Fore more info visit Research Park's website here.
DID YOU KNOW? Thesis Deposits and Patentability
Our office has had inquiries from graduate students aboutwhether choosing the "U of I Only" option for the release of a thesis preserves patentability. Limiting access to the University of Illinois community by checking "U of I Only" when depositing a thesis does not preserve the patentability of information in the thesis. University of Illinois access (~35,000 people) is considered a publication, which potentially complicates the ability to obtain a patent in the US and which prevents most foreign patenting. Only "Closed Access" or a Thesis Withhold will prevent the deposit of a thesis from being considered a publication for patent purposes. For more contact either the Graduate College or the Office of Technology Management.
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