Private sector
partnerships with
government and educational institutions have fueled the
Internet worldwide. In
some cases, governments and/or universities provide funding to
SME’s. In other
cases, SME’s or larger businesses provide funding to educational institutions or
government-financed projects. In all these cases, there is usually a development
project in which funding is applied to
innovative work and the creation of
inventions (patents) or works of
authorship (copyrights).
→
Systemic Innovation: 7 Areas
Before you embark on such a
joint research project, check out the IP policies of
the government entity or university. Will their funding or sharing of
resources come with strings attached? In other words, will any IP resulting from
the work that is done be owned, in whole or in part, by the one providing funds?
Some governments and governmentally funded universities are legally required to
maintain ownership of IP generated in joint research projects. Others have
strict policies relating to IP ownership.
At the beginning of the project,
get expert help to sort through who will own the work that comes out of the
project and clarify these expectations in your contract. You may also
make
decisions involving payment of royalties or sharing of revenues.
