The RMIT register of R and I intellectual property procedure

Procedure

Intent

This procedure describes the functions and operation of the RMIT Register of R&I Intellectual Property. The Register is a mechanism to encourage staff to bring to the attention of the University any intellectual property which has the potential for commercial development for the mutual benefit of the University, the inventor and government, commercial or other partners

The University’s Register of R&I Intellectual Property will record:

• All R&I intellectual property owned by RMIT
• All decisions by the University regarding R&I intellectual property created by RMIT staff or students (where appropriate)
• All agreements or arrangements the University enters into relating to R&I intellectual property (including commercialisation proposals related to or that may arise in relation to collaborative research and development)
• Pre-existing or background RMIT-owned R&I intellectual property or intellectual capital that is contributed to any activities or initiatives where collaboration with other individuals or organisations may create new R&I intellectual property

An agreed date such as the date of disclosure of R&I intellectual property will be used to set the date for determination of the sunk costs associated with research. All costs incurred after the agreed date will thus be identified as costs associated with development and commercialisation, and recovered by the University from the proceeds of any successful commercialisation in the future, in advance of the distribution of any net benefits.

Signatures of inventors and interested parties will be included in the Register, to confirm their acceptance of decisions and to verify the accuracy of the information this Register records.

Scope

The procedure relates to all R&I intellectual property in which RMIT University has an interest, including, but not limited to, R&I intellectual property created by University staff and students within and external to the University.

Exclusions

Education and training intellectual property is covered by other procedures under this policy

Procedure steps and actions

Procedure	Responsibility
Identify and describe: Pre-existing or background R&I intellectual property New R&I intellectual property created through research and innovation R&I intellectual property agreements or arrangements the University has entered into	Academic staff RMIT business development managers Intellectual Property / Ideas Evaluation Panel Legal Services Group
Where possible, identify and describe how the new R&I intellectual property contributes to the University’s intellectual capital (e.g. incorporation into teaching and learning programs, further research and innovation, etc.)	Academic staff
Review previous recommendations or decisions of the Intellectual Property / Ideas Evaluation Panel or other governing bodies regarding the R&I intellectual property	Intellectual Property / Ideas Evaluation Panel
Record information in the Register of R&I Intellectual Property Information to be recorded could include: Description of the R and I intellectual property and its contributions to the University’s intellectual capital Pre-existing or background R and I intellectual property, Ownership Decisions and recommendations made by the Intellectual Property / Ideas Evaluation Panel Nature and duration of agreements that relate to the R&I intellectual property Agreed date for determination of sunk costs associated with the research Commercial confidentiality, contractual obligations, RMIT constraints or limitations on publication of the R and I intellectual property Dependencies on other activities, contracts or other legal arrangements, caveats, etc. Responsibilities of parties to agreements (e.g. allocation of costs of protection of R and I intellectual property) Potential or proposed exploitation strategies, including options for commercialisation Follow-up activities, responsibilities, implementation strategies, timelines, etc. Any special conditions or other relevant information	Research and Innovation Portfolio
Inventors and interested parties sign the Register	.

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