Idea
Notification of a service invention
Acquisition of a service invention
Legal protection
Prototype and proof of concept
Finding suitable business partners
Contractual transfer or spin-off
Development and commercialisation
Revenue from innovation
New research and development
Researchers often make discoveries and inventions in the course of their research. An invention can be an object, a process or a technique that represents novelty and is the work of the human mind. It is usually a solution to a technical problem in the form of a product or process. On the way to commercialisation, it is also necessary to check the state of the art and to carry out market research in order to verify whether the idea is really new and innovative.
The first step towards knowledge transfer is for the researcher or group of researchers to notify the Centre of a service invention. In addition to new inventions, the Centre must also be informed in the case of the creation of new computer programs and other know-how, where these demonstrate industrial or commercial applicability. The Centre can assist researchers in assessing the commercial potential of research results, advise on the disclosure of a service invention and explain the processes for possible protection of the invention.
On the basis of the completed application for invention registration, the Centre prepares an assessment of the invention’s potential and informs the panel. The Knowledge Transfer Commission of the University of Primorska will then provide its expert assessment of the invention. If the invention shows potential, the Rector shall issue a decision on the acceptance of the invention. The procedure described above is regulated in more detail in the Regulations on the Management of Inventions at the University of Primorska.
The legal protection of intellectual property by means of a patent or other intellectual property rights is crucial for bringing innovations to the market and encouraging further innovation. The Centre, together with the patent attorney, develops a strategy for legal protection, based on a proposal from the UP Knowledge Transfer Commission. The selected patent agent, in cooperation with the inventor, prepares the patent application and arranges for filing with the desired patent office.
To develop and realise an idea or technology, it needs to be tested with certain tests to confirm that the technology really works, or it needs to be developed into a working prototype. Only with a working prototype does it become attractive to business partners and the chances of a successful commercialisation increase.
One of the Centre’s activities is to make sure that inventions find their way into practice. We try to find suitable business partners for a product or technology protected by intellectual property rights in various ways. Either by publishing and promoting technology offers on our website, or by supporting researchers at various R2B events. This phase is usually the most difficult and can take several months or even years, depending on the interest in the market and the willingness of companies to invest. The active involvement of researchers at this stage can greatly contribute to shorten the process of finding suitable partners.
Once we have found a partner to translate the invention into practice, we work with researchers and decision-makers at UP to agree on a form of transfer that suits all stakeholders. This could be a licensing agreement or the transfer of intellectual property rights to a partner. Or, if you are interested in embarking on your own entrepreneurial path for your product or service, you have the option of setting up a spin-off company.
Technologies developed within universities and inventions by researchers are often in the early stages of technological development. The chosen partner or a spin-off company takes care of the further development of the technology and contributes the key ingredients for success – time, money and people.
The income from a licence or assignment agreement covers first the costs of securing the intellectual property (e.g. patent application fee, patent attorney fees). The remainder is divided between the inventors, the Member and the University.
Successful commercialisation of an invention and the funding obtained encourage researchers to focus on further research and development of new or improved technological solutions. This in turn creates the potential for new inventions and innovations that are the result of new knowledge and insights.
