Patents And University Spin-outs: Protecting Academic Innovation

Universities are a major source of innovation. From new medicines and diagnostics to artificial intelligence, advanced materials and clean technologies, academic research increasingly provides the foundations for new products, licences and spin-out companies.

Turning that research into a commercial opportunity, however, creates a particular challenge. Academic researchers need to publish and share their work. Patent protection generally depends on doing the opposite – keeping an invention confidential until an appropriate patent application has been filed.

Managing that tension well can make a significant difference to the future value of an academic invention.

Publish or patent?

Academic success has traditionally depended heavily on publishing research. But a public disclosure can have serious consequences for patent protection.