- What is an invention?
- Who is an inventor?
- Who is not an inventor?
- Who should I report the invention/creation to?
- When should I report the invention?
- Where can I find the invention disclosure form?
- What is a patent?
- What are the requirements of a patent?
- How long is the patent protection good for?
- What is public disclosure?
- What is the enabling part of the information?
- How does public disclosure impact the patent rights?
- What is confidential disclosure?
What is an invention? (Back to Top)
An invention encompasses a new idea for a useful application in society, new materials, new use of existing materials, a new design, a new process, a new machine, a new article of manufacture, a new asexually propagated plant, or improvements to existing plants, materials, processes, designs, or machines.
Who is an inventor? (Back to Top)
Whoever conceives the idea and reduces it to practice is an inventor.
Who is not an inventor? (Back to Top)
Whoever does not make any intellectual contribution to reducing the idea to practice is not an inventor.
Who should I report the invention/creation to? (Back to Top)
According to the WKU IP policy you should disclose the creation or invention to the Office of Technology Transfer; which will work with you to process your disclosure.
When should I report the invention? (Back to Top)
As soon as you think that you have an invention, you should complete the invention disclosure form and submit it to the Office of Technology Transfer and Industry Relations. You may call the office at 270-745-6733 to discuss and/or seek assistance in completing the form.
Where can I find the invention disclosure form? (Back to Top)
It can be accessed under forms at the ORED--Technology Transfer and Industry Relations website.
What is a patent? (Back to Top)
It is a legal ownership right to an invention granted by the U.S. government (or other governments if applications are filed in other countries) to the inventor to exclude others from making, using, and selling it.
What are the requirements of a patent? (Back to Top)
It must be:
Novel: Different than what is taught by prior art
Non-obvious: Not be obvious to a person with ordinary skills in the art
Useful: Has some usefulness for the society
How long is the patent protection good for? (Back to Top)
The patent protection term is 20 years from the time an application is filed.
What is public disclosure? (Back to Top)
Any disclosure of the enabling part of the invention to the general public through publication, e-mail, published grant proposals, poster presentations, oral presentations at conferences, at the University, to companies, web pages, press coverage, offer for sale, and demonstrations constitutes public disclosure. It is recommended that a legal mechanism for protection be implemented before any disclosure to the public domain. There are several mechanisms that can be implemented without any significant delay in publication. Contact the Office of Technology Transfer for assistance at 270-745-6733.
What is the enabling part of the information? (Back to Top)
Any information related to the design, data, drawings, concepts, materials, or any other critical information that describes how an invention is constructed or it functions.
How does the public disclosure impact the patent rights? (Back to Top)
Any public disclosure will bar the inventor from any patent rights in most countries. In the U.S. there is only a one year grace period; however, it is highly recommended not to rely on this grace period.
What is confidential disclosure? (Back to Top)
The commercialization of intellectual property requires implementation of legal protection to create barriers for competition. Prior to any legal protection, if a disclosure of the IP is needed, then it must be protected through a confidentiality agreement (also known as Non-Disclosure Agreement or NDA).