Students
As an undergraduate or graduate student, you have the opportunity to create original inventions and discoveries through your coursework and research activities. Understanding and navigating the complexities of Intellectual Property (IP) is an essential part of your academic journey. Our office is here to support you in protecting, developing, and potentially commercializing your innovative work.
Students involved in creating new IP will work with the Office of Intellectual Property & Tech Transfer (OPITT) to determine ownership and disclose their creations. Once an invention is disclosed, our team will guide you through the entire process, from ownership determination to commercialization, if the IP is owned by the University.
IP refers to intangible creations of the mind, which may be protected under patent, copyright, and/or trademark laws. Here are some key types of IP:
- Patents: Protect new or improved inventions, processes, machines, and compositions of matter that are useful, novel, and non-obvious. Students can patent inventions developed through their academic work or research.
- Copyrights: Cover original works of authorship fixed in any tangible form, including literary works, software, photographs, and musical compositions. For instance, co-publishing an article or creating a smartphone application can result in copyrightable work.
- Trademarks: Include any word, name, symbol, or device used to identify and distinguish goods or services from those of others.