Moving Research Innovation Forward
At NVRIC we work to protect research discoveries and support creators with licensing and business mentoring.
What is Tech Transfer Anyway?
When the faculty, students, and researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno create or improve innovations, NVRIC can – through licensing – transfer the innovations to entities with the ability to turn research into marketable products.
In exchange for the licensing, NVRIC receives revenues, royalties, equity shares, and/or cash fees. All revenues flow to the University with the exception of a 15% service fee retained by NVRIC to help fund operations. The University then distributes 60% of the net revenues to the creators.
Protecting Your Innovation
Intellectual Property
We will work to assess the type of intellectual property that might be available and determine whether the innovation is patentable. We will also assess the commercial potential to determine if a market exists, what competition exists, and whether the innovation is ready for commercialization.
We will keep you informed every step of the way because we believe it is important that creators participate in the process. No one knows the innovation better than its creator. If you want more information, read the overview on our policy for IP ownership. If you would like assistance filling out the form, please contact our office and we will address any questions you have.
Additional Information on Intellectual Property Protection
You will find more information on protecting your research discoveries through the following organizations:
The Commercialization Process
1: Research
Observations and experiments during research activities often lead to discoveries, innovations, and inventions. It can sometimes be difficult to identify which part of a complex research effort might constitute an innovation; therefore, it is important to keep good, reliable laboratory records of your research activities. Remember, before sharing the results of any research, or publishing, it is important to ask Enterprise & Innovation whether the document or disclosure contains any innovation that could be patented, as patent rights can be lost upon publication or presentation. Enterprise & Innovation will never ask you delay publishing or presenting – our work will be based on your timeline.
2: Innovation disclosure
An innovation disclosure is a confidential document that provides Enterprise & Innovation with basic information about your innovation. Once we have received your disclosure, someone from our office will reach out to you to begin the process. An innovation disclosure should be submitted before any disclosure of your technology outside of the University community. Submit your innovation disclosure form at unr.inteum.com/inventorportal
3: Intellectual property assessment
Enterprise & Innovation will conduct an assessment to determine whether IP protection is needed to commercialize the innovation. This involves a review of the innovation disclosure and research regarding the market, competitive technologies and prior art.
4: Protection
Based on the assessment, Enterprise & Innovation will determine whether it will file for patent protection. When appropriate, the University may utilize copyright or trademark rights to commercialize University innovations or works of authorship per the University Administrative Manual 6,507: Intellectual Property Policy.
5: Commercialization assessment
We aim to maximize the impact and reach of your work. Enterprise & Innovation will evaluate the global market potential of your innovation and assess regional to international opportunities with industry leading companies, entrepreneurs and investors.
6: Spin-out or partnership
Depending on the innovation, Enterprise & Innovation will help you determine a route for step 6.
- Start a spin-out company
- Find a partner to license the innovation
6a: Start a company
Certain technologies and innovations may be best suited for a spin-out company – a new company formed specifically to develop technology arising from within the University. Spin-outs may include the direct involvement of the founding researchers.
6b: Find a partner
Certain technologies and innovations may be best suited for a licensing partnership with an existing company. Enterprise & Innovation will conduct market research, develop a list of market contacts, and coordinate with the researcher to attract potential licensees.
7: Licensing
Marketing activities may result in one or more potential partners conducting an in-depth examination of the technology and market opportunity. If a prospect wants to license a technology, they will present a plan for commercialization and negotiate business terms with Enterprise & Innovation. From there, our office prepares a formal agreement draft, negotiates and ultimately executes the license.
8: Revenue
Royalties and other revenue received by the University under the license agreement are shared with University inventors in accordance with the University’s Intellectual Property Policy.
9: Relationship management
Once a license agreement has been completed, the licensee will continue to develop the innovation to create products or services in accordance with the terms of the license agreement. Throughout the duration of the agreement, Enterprise & Innovation will monitor the progress of the licensee to verify they are in compliance with their obligations and ensure that royalty payments are received and distributed accordingly.