Intellectual Property Rights

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.

Deal terms - When it comes to the transfer of intellectual property to spin-offs

Universities of The Netherlands (UNL) has presented transparent principles for university spin-offs on 16th of February 2023. The 'deal terms' - as they are called, regulate how to deal with intellectual property and universities’ share ownership in spin-offs that involve a researcher terminating their employment. 

The deal terms are intended to speed up the negotiation process between universities and young companies, and thus to increase the chance of growth and success. The deal terms set out the fees and agreements around intellectual property rights. They are envisaged for situations in which a researcher terminates their employment and wants to start up a company on the basis of intellectual property deriving from the university’s activities. In accordance with the principles of the deal terms, these terms must be simple, fair and transparent.

The use of deal terms will be monitored and evaluated periodically by the Knowledge Transfer Offices / Technology Transfer Offices (KTOs/TTOs) of the knowledge institutions in the Netherlands. For TU/e this is The Gate.

You can find the Deal terms in the Downloads

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.