THE ABC of INVENTIONS

MAARIT JOKELA, PEKKA RÄSÄNEN

UNIVERSITY OF OULU, INNOVATION SERVICES, 2014

GUIDE TO RESEARCHERS FOR COMMERCIALISATION OF RESEARCH RESULTS

Table of contents

1. Summary ........................................................................... 2. The aim of the guide ......................................................... 3. Utilisationofresearchresults...........................................4. Fromideatoinnovation.................................................... 5. Inventionasaresultofresearch.......................................5.1. Whatcountsasaninvention?...........................................5.2. Protectyourinventionbeforepublishing..........................5.3. First,fileainventiondisclosure.........................................5.3.1. Whoistheinventor?..........................................................5.3.2. Whoownstheinvention?..................................................5.4. Protectingtheinvention.................................................... 5.4.1. Patent ................................................................................ 5.4.1.1. Novelty .............................................................................. 5.4.1.2. Whenitisworthwhiletopatentaninvention?.................5.4.1.3. Whyisitworthwhiletokeepaneyeonpatent publications?......................................................................5.5. Theevaluationofthecommercialpotentialofaninvention...........................................................................5.6. Commersialisationofaninvention....................................5.6.1. Establishing a new business .............................................. 5.6.2. Licensing ............................................................................ 5.6.3. Selling ................................................................................ 6. Theinnovationservicesofuniversities.............................7. Dictionary...........................................................................8. Furtherinformation..........................................................

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2. The aim of the guide

Universitiesarestrongholdsofhighqualityresearchandteaching.Theydonotexistseparatelyfromtherestof thesociety, foruniversitiesstrive to transferresults gained in research into use and thus fulfilltheir social interaction role. The transfer of the re-sultstakesplaceintheformofscientificpublications,inventionsaswellasbusinessideas. Therefore the researchers need to know the basics of inventions. In order to transfer them to the cor-porateworldorcreatenewbusiness,the protection of inventions isoften inavery important role. It isimperativetoknowwhentheinventioncanbepub-lished.Theinventioncanbebothprotectedandpub-lishedprovidingtheprotectionmeasuresarestartedpriortopublication.

It is good to remember that patent publications con-tain information that cannot be found in scientific articles.Thuspatentdatabasesareimportantsourc-esofinformationalso when planning new research projects. It is worthwhile to direct the resources at producingnewinformation.

The aim of this guide is to give the basics of inven-tions,oftheirprotectionaswellascommercialutili-sation.Thesepointsaregoodtokeepinmindalreadywhenplanninganewresearchproject,butaboveallduring the researchproject andwhen reaching thehomestretch.

1. Summary

Universities and the research done in them is the fore-most source of new international business. This guide tells the researchers how the result of a research (an invention, a computer software, a material, a business idea) is developed into a starting point of a new business.

The commercialisation of research results promotes the research work of the university i.a. through new funding possibilities. Further, the scientific publications also promote the success of commercialisation.

The Innovation Services of the universities aid re-searchers with the measures relating to the commer-cialisation of research.

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4.Fromideatoinnovation

Thejourneyfromanideatoaninnovationisof-ten longand it includesmanydifferent stages.Anideais justastartingpointforthedevelop-mentofaninnovation.

An example: You have found that it is problem-atic that often in the dark you would need a flash light, but you do not happen to have one with you. You get an idea that there could be a flash light integrated in a cell phone.

The idea is refined into an invention when you develop a solution with which the flash light can be integrated into the phone. When the inven-tion has been commercialised it is referred to as an innovation.

5.Aninventionasaresultof research

Aninvention,whichisa novel and surprising so-lution to the research question, may be discov-eredasaresultofresearch.Theinventioncanbeforexampleamethodforproducingamaterialorasolution,onthebasisofwhichitispossibletoproduceanewproduct.

3.Utilisationofresearchresults

The results of research are generally measured with the help of publications generated during the re-search. High-grade international scientific publica-tionsplayakeyroleaswellaspostersandpresenta-tionsatinternationalconferences.

Previoustopublishingyourresearchresultsitisgoodtocontemplatewhethertheresultscouldbeutilisedin other ways as well. What could be gained? Arethereinfactsomecompellingreasonsfortheutilisa-tionoftheresultsthatarementionedintheresearchagreement consummated with the investor and/or collaborators?

Utilisationofresearchresultsis•Scientificpublishing•Popularisationofscience•Commercialutilisationofresearchresults

Thisguideisconcentratedindealingwithutilisationofresearchresultsfromacommercialstandpoint.

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The essential in inventions is inventiveness, i.e.thatthesolutionisnotobvioustoapersonskilledin theart.By this ismeant that apersonhavingsimilar academic background and experience astheinventorwouldnotarriveatthesamesolutionbyreadingliteratureofthefield.

5.2.Protectyourinventionbeforemakingitpublic

The invention cannot be patented if it has al-ready been made public. It is not wise to dis-cuss the invention widely with others withoutnon-disclosure agreements. Making something public means giving scientific presentations,conference abstracts, posters, web pages andarticles. File an invention disclosure and con-sult the innovationmanager of your university.

It is your dutytodisclosetheinventiontothein-novation unit of your university as soon as youfeelthatyouhavemadeaninvention.ThedutyofdisclosurecomesfromtheUniversity InventionsActthatisappliedtoallindividualsworkingintheuniversityanditappliestoinventionsthatarepa-tentable in Finland.

Aninventioncanbediscoveredduringresearchpro-jectsalsobyaccident,thusresultsshouldbemoni-tored and analysed continuously. Record your re-sults in a notebook.

An example: The best known inventions discovered at the University of Oulu are heart rate monitors (Polar Electro Oy) and UniQTM bone/tissue markers (Orion Diagnostica Oy).

5.1.Whatcountsasaninvention?

Aninventionpresentsanovelandinventivesolu-tiontoaproblem,whichcanbeappliedintoprac-tice.Theinventionisanewdeviceormethodoranimprovementtoanexistingone.Theinventioncanalsobebasedonanovelapplicationofknowntechnique.

Examples:• two known devices combined radio + cell phone• novel application before: medicinal substance functions as an pain killer now: it prevents blockages of blood vessels

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Ininventionsonlythosepersonsthathavehadan independent role in thecreationof the inventionarenamedas inventors.Theyhave independentlybeenplanningormakingexperimentswithwhichthefunctionalityoftheinventionhasbeentested.

The correct inventors (including all necessary, ex-cludingunnecessary)areimportantforexampleonthepointofviewofthestrengthofthegrantedpat-ent.

5.3.2.Whoownstheinvention?

Theoffsetalwaysisthattheinventionisownedbyits maker. However, it is good to remember that in-ventionscreatedduringemploymentaregovernedbytheActofUniversityInventionsandtheActontheRightinEmployeeInventions.Thefirstofthesetwo is implemented to employeesworking in thefieldofhighereducation (forexampleuniversitiesandpolytechnics),whenthe latterofthesetwoisimplementedtoallothercases(e.g.researchersattheVTT). In case theemployerdecides toexploittheinvention,anadequateremunerationmustbepaidtotheinventor.

IntheUniversityInventionsAct,thecircumstancesinwhichtheinventionwasmadeinfluencetheown-ershipoftheinvention.Thusinventorsareaskedtoclassify the invention in the invention disclosureinto classes A, B or C (Table 1).

5.3.First,fileaninventiondisclosure

Ifyouhavemadeaninvention,firstyoumustfill out an invention disclosure form that can be found on thewebpageoftheinnovationunitofyouruniversi-ty.Attachdrawings,figures,formulasorotherfurtherinformationthatarenecessaryforunderstandingandexemplifyingtheinvention.

Filingtheinventiondisclosuretotheinnovationman-agerof theuniversity starts aprocess inwhich thecommercialisationandprotectionofyourinventionisanalysed.Theinnovationmanagerofyouruniversitywill help you in the commercialisation process, theservicesofwhich innovationmanagerareconfiden-tial.

The innovationmanagerchecks the received inven-tion disclosure and asks for further information ifneeded.Whenallnecessaryinformationhasbeenre-ceived,theinnovationmanagercontactsyouandar-rangesajointmeetinginwhichwaystoproceedwiththematterareconsidered.Ittakestimetosurveytheneedforprotectionandthecommercialprospectsofan invention. Thus it is advisable to contact the in-novationmanagersix months in advance of the in-tendedpublicationoftheinvention.

5.3.1.Whoistheinventor?

You are asked in the invention disclosure to clarifywhois/aretheinventor/softheinvention.Inascien-tificarticle,personsthathaveplayedaminororde-pendent(workingundertheinstructionsofanother)partcanbenamedastheauthors.

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IftheuniversitydecidestoclaimtheinventionbelongingtotheclassB,itsrightsaretransferredfromtheinventortotheuniversitywithaseparateagreement(The Assigning of Rights).Itisalsopossiblethatthein-ventorsurrendersvoluntarilytherightstohisinventiontotheuniversity(inventionsbelongingtotheclassesA and C).

TheAssigningoftheRightssetsthejointgroundrulesi.e.specifieswhataretherightsandthedutiesofboththeinventorsaswellastheuniversity.Whentherightsoftheinventionhavebeentransferredtotheuniver-sity,ittakescareofcommercialisationandprotectionoftheinvention.Ifpatentingischosen,theuniversityisresponsibleforthepatentingcosts.

Patentinganinventionisnotenoughonitsownfortheinventiontobeutilisedcommercially.Itisimportanttoanalysethemarkets,lookforutilisersfortheinventionanddeveloptheinventionfurther.Theuniversityisnotabletodothisworkwithoutthehelpoftheinventor.Thus,whentherightsaretransferred,notonlythetransferofrightsoftheinventiontotheuniversityisagreedupon,butalsoofmakinganutilisationplanincooperationwiththeinventor.

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Class Grounds OwnershipA The invention is a result of Free Academic

Research (= regular professional duties or afoundationgrant)

The inventor

B TheinventionisaResultofContract Research (= invention made in a project funded byAcademyof Finland, TEKES, EU or a compa-ny)

The university has the right to claim the rightstotheinventionduring6monthsafterthereceiptof the inventiondisclosure.Theclaimmustbemadeinwriting.

C The invention is made in Other connection thanabove(e.g.aninventionmadebyaper-sonassistingtheresearchers)

The inventor

Table1.Classificationofinventions

5.4.Protectingtheinvention

Successfulcommercialisationofaninventionoftenre-quiresthattheinventionisprotectedbyapatent.Forexample,thedevelopmentofbiotechnologicalinven-tionsintoaproducttakessuchalongtimeandcostsso much that it is not worthwhile to undertake if the developerdoesnotgainanadvantage.Thisadvantagecanbegainediftheinventionisprotectedbyapatent,whichisoneformofindustrialpropertyrights.

Industrial property rightsmean exclusive rightswithwhichinventions,marksandappearanceusedassym-bolsofgoodsandservices,areprotected.Thesearei.a.patent,utilitymodel,designright,andtrademark,whichinFinlandcanbeappliedfromNationalBoardofPatentsandRegistrationofFinland(Patentti-jare-kisterihallitus, PRH). In inventions that are researchbased,themostimportantmodeofprotectionispat-ent.

5.4.1. Patent

Apatentmeansan exclusive right granted by applica-tion to the inventor to prohibit others from profes-sional utilisation of the invention. This exclusive right iseffectivemax.20yearsfromtheeffectivedateofthepatentapplicationinthatcountryinwhichthepatentisappliedforandgranted.Further,itmustberemem-beredthatthegrantedpatentisnoteffectiveautomat-ically,buttheannuitiesrequiredmustbepaidintime.

Thepatentproprietorhas tomonitorby themselvesthat no one infringes their exclusive right. An advan-tageoverthecompetitorscanbegainedwiththehelpofapatent,becausetheyhavetospendresourcestodevelopsubstitutivesolutions.

Theuniversitybeginstheprotectionofaninventionif•therightsoftheinventionhavebeen transferred to the university•itispossibletogainapatentwithaslargeaspossiblescopefortheinvention•thecommercialisationrouteoftheinventioncan be foreseen•theadvantagesoftheinventionareseenalsoin the future•theinventionhasextensiveapplicationpossibilities

Theprinciplesaccordingtowhichhighereducationinstitutespayremunerationsfortheinventionsvary.ForexampletheUniversityofOulupaysremunera-tiontotheinventorfromthefirstpatentapplicationfiledandgrantedaswellaswhenaprofitisgainedfromthe invention.Fromtherevenuegained, thepatentingcostsarefirstdeducted,afterwhichthesumremainingwillbedividedinproportionof:50%(theinventor),25%(thedepartmentoftheinven-tor),and25%(university).

Iftheuniversityclaimstherightsoftheinvention,the invention cannotbemadepublicwithout theapprovaloftheuniversity. Itshouldbenotedthatalthoughthepatentingprocessoftheinventionisstarted,theinventioncanbemadepublicrightaf-terthepatentapplicationhasbeenfiled,ifneeded.

If the university has not claimed the rights of the inventionresultingfromacontractresearch(classB)withinsixmonths,therightsoftheinventionre-main with the inventor. In that case, the inventor can start the commercialisation of the inventionhimself, ifhesochooses.Theinnovationmanagerofyouruniversitywillprovideadvicealsoforthesesituations. 6

Patent facts

• Patent is an exclusive right granted by application to prohibit other from professional utilisation of the invention.• The granted patent is effective for max. 20 years from the effective date of the application, providing that the annuities are paid.• Patent is effective only in that country in which it is applied for and granted.• The patented invention must be novel, inventive and industrially applicable.• The patenting costs can run up to tens of thousands of euros. Even though the patent application may be drafted by yourself, it is advisable to consult a professional of the trade i.e. a patent attorney.• It takes 2–7 years to obtain a patent.• The patent application becomes public 18 months after the filing.• The patent application may first be filed at the Finnish Patent Office (National Board of Patents and Registration of Finland, PRH) and then continued abroad within the 12 months of the so called priority year.

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Apatentisalsoacommodity,becauseitcanbesoldorlicenced,whichmeansthatapermitofuseforthepatented invention is granted in exchange for pay-ment.

Inorderfortheinventiontobepatented,itmust•be novel • differ substantially from the prior art i.e. involve an inventive step• be industrially applicable i.e. the invention must be a solution to a technical problem

Amerediscovery(e.g.anelement,aDNAsequence),amathematicalmethod,anaestheticcreation,rulesofagame,abusinessplanorpresentationof infor-mation cannot be patented. Furthermore, surgicaland therapeuticmethods as well as plant varietiesandbreedsofanimalsarenotpatentable.

5.4.1.2.Whenisitworthwhiletopatentaninvention? Patentingisalongandexpensiveprocess,sopatent-ing is worthwhile only then when it is necessary.

Patentingisworthwhileif•theinventioncanbeutilisedcommercially(asapartofaneworexistingbusiness)•theinventionisnovel•thepatentisstrong(theprotectiveeffectmatterstocompaniesoperatinginthefield)•thepatentcanbemonitored(itispossibletodeterminee.g.ifthereisacomponentprotectedbythepatentinaproductinthemarket)•thepatentisdifficulttocircumvent•theinventioncannotbeconsideredatradesecret(theinventionwillbecomepublice.g.inascientificarticleoritisevidentfromtheproduct what it consists of)

Apatentapplicationcanbedraftedbyyourself,butitisalwaysbesttoseekthehelpofpatentattorneysinorderforthepatenttobe“moreairtight”.

5.4.1.1. Novelty

An invention must be novel in order for it to be patentable.Allpublicknowledgecountsasanov-elty bar: articles, abstracts, posters, web pages,presentations, fairs etc. It is good to rememberthat also inventor’s own publications relating tothesubjectcanvitiatepatenting.

A good way to find out if an invention is novel is to order a preliminary examination of noveltyfromPRHorapatentagency.Intheexamination,searchesaremadefrompatentandotherpublica-tion databases with search terms describing the invention.

The right time to make an invention public is only after a patent application has been filed. In practice thismeans that the invention can bemadepublicthesamedaythatthepatentapplica-tion is filed.

AnexceptiontothisruleispatentingintheUSA.There the inventor can publish the inventione.g. in a scientific article and apply for a patent12 months at the latest after the invention has beenpublished.Although,itisgoodtorememberthatapatentcannotthusbegrantedinanyothercountry.

Example: You give a presentation in an international conference on the 15th of September, whereupon the invention becomes public. Thus the protection of the invention must be commenced the same day at the latest. But because drafting a patent application and the commercialisation analysis take time, it would be good to contact an innovation manager six months in advance. 8

5.5.Theevaluationofthecommercialpotentialofaninvention

Before the patenting of an invention is started,the commercial potential of the inventionmustbe evaluated. This means uncovering

1.isthereaneedinthemarketforaproduct and/or service based on the invention (client need)?and

2. in what ways the invention is better than the existingsolutions?Inotherwordswhatarethebenefitsoftheinventioncomparedto existing solutions (the superiority of the technology).

Theproductand/orservicecreatedonthebasisof the invention may be directed at either (A) an existing market or (B) it can create a whole new market (for example the heart rate monitor ofPolar Electro created a new consumer market).

(A)Whenaproduct/serviceisdirectedatanex-istingmarket,itiseasytoevaluatethepotentialof the markets. The size and the development(growing or diminishing) of the markets can be assessedforexamplebybuyingmarketinforma-tion.

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5.4.1.3.Whyisitworthwhiletokeepeyeonpatentpublications?

For a researcher, it is natural to follow the literature of thefield from international sciencepublicationandtofollowdevelopmenttrendsbyvisitingcon-ferences.However,ifthereisnotimetofollowthepatentpublications,ahugeamountofexisting in-formationisoftenthrownaside. Itisestimatedthatover80percentoftechnicalin-formationiscontainedonlyinpatentpublications.Manycompaniesdoalotofresearchandproductdevelopment,theresultsofwhichtheypublishonlyin the formofpatents. The surestway toget thenewest information is togo throughbothpatentsand scientific publications. The information con-tained by patents is worthwhile to utilise alwayswhenplanninganewresearchproject,foritisnotworth it to research anew something that is already known.

Patent databases can be browsed electronically throughe.g.thefreeofchargeEsp@cenet(http://fi.espacenet.com/).

Already over 80 million documents can be found in thedatabase.Apatentapplicationbecomespublic18monthsafterithasbeenfiledwiththepatentof-fice.Afterpublicationitcanbefoundinthepatentdatabases.

Example: A mobile phone flash light inventionwaspresented in section4.With thehelpofpat-entdatabases it is foundthatthe invention isnotnovelanymore,forthereareseveralpatentpubli-cationsrelatingtoit.SeeforexampleGB2361378,DE19942575 and JP57160233.

Thecommercialisationoftheinventionusuallydoesnothappenovernight.Oftenfurtherinvestmentsareneeded so that the invention can be refined closerto themarket.At this stage theball isplacedawayfrom the researcher’s court to for example a newcompanytobeestablishedortoanalreadyexistingcompany. Still the researchdonearound the inven-tion isvital to thesuccessof thecommercialisationoftheinvention.Thusuniversitiesinvestespeciallyinthose inventionsthathavethebackgroundofyearsor decades of research with a foreseeable future.

5.6.1. Establishing a new business

Developing research results (inventions) intoa product/service often requires further de-velopment investments and this developmentwork is justifiable to perform in a company.

Establishing a new business is a valid commercialisa-tionroutewhen

•thereareresearchersthathavethewillandthemotivationtofoundabusinessteamand•theproduct/serviceaccordingtotheinventionisaimedatagrowingmarketorcreatesacompletely new market.

In the followingentrepreneurship isdiscussed fromthepointofviewof researcherofhighereducationinstitutesandtheroleswhicharesearchermayadoptinanewbusinessarepresented.

When the market potential is significant (a big-gish or growingmarket) the potential of the in-vention is based on the afore mentioned point2, or in other words what are the benefits of the invention so that the customer changes the exist-ing product/service into a solution according totheinvention.Forexample,changingtheproduc-tionprocessofadrugcanbetooexpensivetothecompany,eventhoughthenewproductionmeth-od would be more cost effective.

(B)Iftheproduct/servicecreatesawholenewmarket,theevaluationofpotentialisdifficultifnotimpossible.Conflictingmessagesarereceivedfromcustomers,soit is not possible to get unequivocal information. Inthatcase,theevaluationofthecommercialpotentialoftheinventionisbasedonanalysingfragmentedin-formationandthedecisionofstartingthecommercial-isingactivitiesmadeonthebasisofthatinformation.

Whenanalysingthemarketitisessentialthatthroughinterviews with the clients one is able to create an impressionthatthepotentialisconsiderableandthestartingofthecommercialisingactivities(forexamplepatenting)isjustifiable.

5.6. Commercialisationofaninvention

Commercialisation means commercial utilisation of inventions.Aninventioncanbecommercialisedeitherviaanewbusiness(startupcompany),bylicensingorbyselling.Whencontemplatingonasuitablecommer-cialisationrouteitisgoodtokeepinmindthetopicali-ty,readiness,purposeandproductdevelopmentcostsoftheinventionaswellascorrespondingproductsofthecompetitors.

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3. The researcher continues his/her work at the research institute and works as an entrepreneur in the established company.

•Theresearcherfilesasecondaryoccupationapplicationtotheprimaryemployer.•Conflictofinterestsituationsbetweentheprimaryemploymentandtheentrepreneurshipandtheiranticipation.•Aftertheearlystagetheresourcedeficitisencounteredandtheoperationofthecompanydevelopsslowlyornotatall.•Acquiringoutsideinvestmentsisreasonablydifficultbecausethecompanyandtheteamlackcredibility.•Thefinancingissecuredwithcashflowandinordertogetitservicesareoftensold.Thedevelopmentoftheproductbusinessisoftenleftaside.

5.6.2. Licensing

Licensingmeansthattheowneroftheinventiongrantsabuyertherighttousetheinventioninacommercialorotherpurpose,forexampleinresearch.Theownershipoftheinventionisnottransferredtotherecipientofthelicense.

Theowner(sellerofthelicense)andthebuyer(recipi-ent of the license) sign an agreement, in which i.a. fol-lowingmattersareagreedupon:

•Natureofthelicense(exclusive,non-exclusive)•Termofthelicense,extensionoftheagreement•Geographicalareacoveredbythelicenseandtheimplementationfield•Groundsforthecompensationpaidbythebuyer•Theroleoftheresearcher(forexampleassistinginpatentingand/orcommercialisation)•Reconciliationofpossibledisputes(where,how)11

1. The researcher becomes an entrepreneur in a new company and leaves his/her day job at the research institute

•Atsomeresearchinstitutesitispossibletoapplyforareleasefromworkforaperiodoftimeinordertofoundanewcompany.•Theresearchersdutiesasanentrepreneurarebroaderandveryoftenespeciallyintheearlystagesonehastotakeresponsibilityforgainingthefirstclientsforthebusiness.•Theentrepreneurteamneedstobeincreased right away at the early stages of the business and atthesametimeimproveknow-howneededinentrepreneurship(i.a.sales/marketing,finances).•Astart-upcompanyisaninterestinginvestmentopportunityfromthepointofviewofaninvestorwhenithasacommittedbusinessteam.The investor invests in most cases in an already foundedcompany.

2. The researcher continues his/her work at the research institute and he/she has the role of an expert and a co-owner in the company.

•Theresearchergivesasecondaryoccupationnoticetotheresearchinstitute(theprimaryemployer).•Theprimaryemploymentoftheresearchersupportsindirectlytheoperationofthecompanyforthefirstfewyears.•Thisisaworthwhileoptionfromthepointofviewoftheresearchinstitutewhenaccomplishedresearcherscontinuetheirresearchfurther.•Thisoptionisfunctionalwhenthecompanyis founded together with an early-stage investor and the business team is resourced via the investor.

Licensingisjustifiablewhen•Theinventionisamethodthatimprovestheproductionofanexistingproduct.•Thelicensecanbesoldtodifferentimplementationfieldsorgeographicalareas.•Thereareseveralbuyersforthelicense.•Itisbeneficialfortheresearcher(fortheresearchinstitute)thattheownershipoftheinventionremainswiththeinventor/researchinstituteforexamplefor the future funding of the research.

5.6.3. Selling

Sellingmeans that theownerof the invention sells theproprietaryrightsoftheinventiontothebuyer.

The owner (seller) of the invention and the buyer signanagreementinwhichi.a.followingmattersareagreedupon:

•Groundsforthecompensationpaidbythebuyer•Theroleoftheresearcher(forexampleassistinginpatentingand/orcommercialisation)

Sellingisjustifiablewhen

•Theinventioniscreatedinacorporatecoordinationprojectandoneofthecorporatepartnersisinterestedinthecommercialisationoftheinvention.•Theinventioncomplementsthepatentportfolioofanexistingbusiness.

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6. Innovationservicesoftheuniversities

The innovationservicesof theuniversitiesemploypersonsunder thetitlesofe.g.innovationmanager,businessdevelopmentmanager,andtechnologytransferman-ager.Theirdutyistoanswerfortheresearchcommercialisationmeasurespresentedin this guide.

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Industrial Property RightsExclusiverightsthatprotecti.a.inventions(pat-ent,utilitymodel),marksusedasthesymbolsforgoodsandservices(trademark),andtheappear-anceofgoods(protectionofpatternsanddesigns).Industrialrightsmustalwaysbeappliedforfromtheauthority.Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)IntellectualPropertyRightsaredividedintotwocat-egories:copyrightandindustrialpropertyrights(forexampleapatent,protectionofdesign).InnovationCommercialisedinventionorserviceideaInnovation ManagerApersonemployedbytheuniversityofthepolytech-nicthathelpsandoffersadviceforthestaffandstu-dentsininventionandbusinessidearelatedmatters.InventionAnewandsurprisingsolutiontoatechnicalproblemInvention DisclosureAformwithwhichanemployeedisclosesan inven-tionmadebyhim/hertohis/heremployer.Inventive StepTheinventiontobepatentedmustdiffersubstantiallyfrompreviouslyknownsolutions.LicenseAgreementgivingrighttousepropertyprotectedbyanintellectualpropertyright.LicensingTheownerofanintellectualpropertyright(forexam-ple a patent) grants certain rights (for example therighttoproduceaninventionprotectedbyapatent)toauserinexchangeforcompensation.Thepropri-etary rights remain with the licensor.

7. Dictionary

The Act on the Right in Employee InventionsAnactthatregulatestherightsandresponsibilitiesoftheemployeesandtheemployersrelatingtoinven-tions.UniversitiesareexcludedfromthisactastheirinventionsaregovernedbytheUniversityInventionsAct.The Act on University InventionsAnactthatregulateswhataretherightsandrespon-sibilitiesofboththeemployeesandtheemployersoftheuniversitiesrelatingtoinventionmatters.Confidentiality Disclosure Agreement (CDA)Acontractthataimstosecurethatconfidentialinfor-mationandmaterialremainsecret.Thecontractmayalso be called a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).Contract for Exploitation of the Invention and the Assigning of RightsA contract with which the owner of the research re-sults/immaterial right transfers his/her rights to his/heremployer.Thustheemployerisentitledtoseekpatentfortheinventioninitsownname.IdeaAninsight,thought,inspirationIndustrial ApplicabilityOneoftheconditionsforgrantingapatentinad-ditiontonoveltyandinventivestep.Theinventionmustbeasolutiontosometechnicalproblemortheinventionisexpectedtohaveatechnicaleffect.

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NoveltyOneof theconditions forgrantingapatent,meaningthat the inventionhasnotbecomepublic inanywaybeforethefilingofthepatentapplication.PatentAn exclusive right granted to the inventor by the soci-ety, in exchange of which the inventor must allow the publicationoftheinvention.Patent AttorneyApersonemployedbyapatentagencytohandlemat-tersrelatingtoindustrialpropertyrightsauthorisedbytheapplicant.Patent DatabasesDataarchivesmaintainedbypatentofficesorcommer-cialplayersthatcontaininformationaboutpatentap-plicationsandgrantedpatents.Person Skilled in the ArtAtermthatisusedwhenassessingtheinventivestepofaninventionpresentedinapatentapplication.PRH (Patentti- ja rekisterihallitus)NationalBoardofPatentsandRegistrationofFinland.An office that handles industrial property rights, theRegisterforAssociationsandtheTradeRegisterinFin-land.PriorityThe12monthprioritytermbeginswhenafirstpatentapplicationrelatingtoaninventionisfiledwithapat-entoffice.Duringthistermtheapplicantcanfilepat-entapplicationsrelatingtothesameinventiontoothercountries and they will be examined as if they all had beenfiledtogetherwiththefirstapplication.Allpubli-cationsthathavebecomepublicbeforethefilingdateofthefirstapplicationaretakenintoaccount.

8. Furherinformation

•Industrialrights:PRH•Patentdatabases:EspacenetPatentInspiration•Evaluationanddevelopmentofaninvention/businessidea:ProductTrack•TheUniversityInventionsAct•TheActontheRightsinEmployeeInventions