Intellectual property

Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise (KEE) assists researchers with all aspects of Intellectual Property, from the first stage of disclosing the idea or technology, right through to discussing the steps of protecting and patenting.

University of Newcastle researchers should disclose an invention disclosure when something new and potentially useful to industry has been conceived or developed, or when unusual, unexpected or novel research results have been achieved. Inventions can include new processes, products, apparatus and compositions of matter or improvements to existing technology in those categories.

IP Disclosure

All inventions by University of Newcastle staff and students must be disclosed through the University’s Invention Disclosure Portal.

Once you have completed the Invention Disclosure Portal login process, researchers are required to note the technical details and novelty of your invention or discovery on the Disclosure Form. The information you provide in the Disclosure Form will assist KEE when evaluating the commercial potential of the discovery.

It is only after the form has been submitted that the disclosure is officially recorded and entered into the IP register of the University.

To disclose your invention, please login to the University’s Invention Disclosure Portal

Tips when disclosing your invention:

• Before you can login to the Invention Disclosure Portal, you must request an account. You can do this via the Inventor Portal login page
• Completing responses to all questions on the Disclosure Form will result in more effective and efficient progression through the evaluation process. If you think you have made a discovery with some commercial potential but are not sure, please email innovationip@newcastle.edu.au and KEE can assist you in determining a way forward.

Please note this invention disclosure portal is intended for staff and students of the University of Newcastle only. Any disclosures non- staff or students, may adversely affect the protection of your intellectual property rights.

Once a disclosure has been received KEE will review the information and contact you to discuss your disclosure and the next steps.

KEE will conduct a preliminary assessment of the commercial potential and patentability of the invention. This assessment process might involve consultation with patent attorneys and/or other advisors as required.

At the completion of the assessment KEE will make a recommendation as to whether or not the invention should be commercialised and if it should progress for patenting. If there is strong prior-art or insufficient commercial potential for the invention to be commercialised, the University may choose to pursue other options for the technology or assign it to the inventor/s on a case-by-case basis.

University of Newcastle IP Policy

Research conducted at the University of Newcastle may lead to inventions, creations or discoveries that have potential commercial value. Under the University’s IP Policy the University owns all Intellectual Property created by staff members within the course of their duties, except for artistic works, indigenous works or scholarly works. In these cases, ownership is provided for in an agreement entered into with the University or approved by the University.*

The University actively encourages the disclosure and commercialisation of new inventions and seeks to reward the originators through sharing the net returns from the commercialisation process as follows:

*The University’s IP Policy should be read in conjunction with the University’s IP Procedure.

IP Contact

For all enquiries relating to disclosing your technology or invention, Intellectual Property or protection of your research, please contact KEE via innovationip@newcastle.edu.au