Intellectual Property Rights for staff

Intellectual Property (IP) protection (if appropriate, necessary, or warranted) 

When we refer to IP protection, we are usually talking about the process in which protection for a product of creative endeavor is pursued, for example, to encourage third party interest in commercialization. Patent protection, a common legal protection method for technological inventions, begins with the filing of a patent application. Once a patent application has been filed, it may require several years and tens of thousands of euro’s to obtain an issued patent. Other commonly used forms of IP protection include trade secrets, industrial designs, copyrights, and trademarks.

Starting the process

The Gate begins the formal knowledge valorization process on basis of the Invention Disclosure Form (IDF). This is a confidential document, and should fully describe the new aspects of your invention, including its advantages and benefits. Once The Gate has received your IDF, you should expect to hear from an IP Advisor or Business Developer within 2 weeks. You can download the IDF below and send your IDF to GateIPGroup@remove-this.tue.nl

We encourage you to contact The Gate already during your discovery process to ensure you are aware of the options that will best leverage the valorization potential of your research. The Gate staff members can help you with questions related to marketability, funding sources, commercial partners, patenting and other protection methods, new business spin-off considerations, TU/e policies and procedures, and much more.