3.09 Ownership of Intellectual Property Rights (Patent Policy) - Faculty Handbook

Abstract:
This section of the Faculty Handbook describes University patent and intellectual property policy.

Review/Revised Date: 08/15/2022

Policy Owner: Faculty Senate

Policy Contact: Faculty Policy and Procedures Committee

3.9 Ownership of Intellectual Property Rights (Patent Policy)

The UA Board of Trustees Rule 509 is the University Patent Policy. The policies governing the administration of inventions are included in the Board of Trustees Rule 509.

From Board Rule 509:

"This patent policy of the University, as amended from time to time, shall be deemed to be a condition of employment and contractual obligation, both while employed and thereafter, of every employee of each campus, including student employees, and a condition of enrollment and attendance and contractual obligation, both while in attendance and thereafter, by every student at each campus."

Other institutional policies govern other forms of intellectual property including computer software. Those policies also provide recognition and incentive to inventors and at the same time ensure that UAB shares in the rights pertaining to inventions in which it has an investment. Any income accruing to UAB is used in the furtherance of its academic mission.

Disclosure of discoveries and inventions which appear to have commercial value and/or utility are made to the UAB Institution for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Employees may not themselves assign or grant any option to any such intellectual property developed during the course of their employment without a release from UAB.

Questions concerning intellectual property rights should be directed to the Bill L. Harbert Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Disclosing Intellectual Property.

UAB employees are expected to comply with the University's Patent Policy and to be aware of the Patent Agreement linked to the Board Rule 509.