It refers to creations of the intellect, such as inventions; literary and artistic works; designs; symbols, names and images used in commerce.
You are required to disclose this to the Technology Development and Transfer Centre (TDTC) at the Office of Research, Innovation and Development (ORID). It is important that this disclosure is made as it serves as an initial formal step to acquiring appropriate protection for an invention.
No. This is because the disclosure provides notice of an invention to the University, and has no official status to protect the invention when a publication is made before a patent application is filed. It is therefore, recommended that publication is delayed until an application for IP protection has been made.
The disclosure will be evaluated by the University of Ghana’s Intellectual Property Committee (IPC) to determine whether or not it can be protected and / or commercialised based on its potential benefits vis-à-vis costs of development, commercial viability and industrial relevance. Based on the recommendations made after the evaluation, the invention will be protected (where needed), marketed to potential inventors and then licensed for development into a product.
This can affect patentability unless it is done under the terms of a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) or a Confidentiality Agreement. This agreement restricts the use of information disclosed about your invention to third parties. As such, it is advisable to put in place a Non-Disclosure Agreement if there is the need to discuss the invention with a sponsor or investor. Kindly contact TDTC for a standardised NDA.
Yes, the University has an Intellectual Property Policy which is available online at www.orid.ug.edu.gh/intellectual-property-policy
In accordance with provisions in the University of Ghana’s Intellectual Property Policy, the University owns any intellectual property created by its employees in the course of their employment. Other provisions on ownership may apply in certain circumstances such as collaborative and sponsored research.
IP protection and related costs will be borne by the University of Ghana unless otherwise provided.
This varies depending on the procedure and other factors in different filing jurisdictions. It is relatively fast in countries where there is no substantive examination on an application. The procedure is however longer and can go beyond eighteen months in countries where substantive examination is undertaken on an application.
A granted patent is valid for twenty (20) years from the filing date of the application.
It grants the patent owner an exclusive right to stop or prevent others from the commercial use of the patented invention. Once an invention is patented, it cannot be commercially made, used, sold or distributed without the consent of the patent owner.
No, patents are territorial rights. As such, the exclusive rights are only valid in the country or region in which a patent has been filed and granted.
It is the process by which a technology, know how or expertise developed by an individual or organisation is transferred to another individual or organisation.
Identifying the right partner to license your technology to may take months or even years depending on the stage of development of the technology. Other factors include competitive technologies, commercial potential of the technology and the level of resources required to bring the technology concept to the market.
Intellectual property protection and other related costs will be deducted from any income received from commercialisation. Thereafter, the net income / royalty would be distributed as follows;
- Forty percent (40%) to the inventor(s);
- The remaining sixty percent (60%) will be distributed as follows:
- Twenty-five percent (25%) to the University;
- Fifteen percent (15%) for the support of research grants or fellowships;
- Ten percent (10%) to the Inventor's College and its constituents;
- Ten percent (10%) to an IP Fund.
- It provides an avenue for researchers to engage with the industry, understand their technological needs and develop innovative solutions to help address these needs.
- It is a means of mobilising additional research funding.
- It promotes the creation of new companies to enhance the country's competitive advantage on the global market.
- Such collaborations provide access to state of the art scientific equipment (which may not be available in the university labs) to enable researchers pursue new or further research.
- It enhances faculty productivity through increased publications.
- Enhances the University's institutional image.
- Provides an opportunity to find future employment for undergraduate and graduate students.
- The society benefits through the creation of new products and services.
Both numeric and non-numeric indicators will be used in measuring success. Numeric indicators include the number of invention disclosures, patent applications, granted patents, licensing agreements and the number of startup companies. Non-numeric indicators include the ability of UG to attract and retain faculty, outstanding graduate students, enhanced collaboration with the private sector for the development and transfer of innovative technologies.