Our Process
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UTI evaluates, protects, markets, and licenses inventions created by researchers at U of C and by independent inventors. We provide a seamless environment working closely with researchers to take innovation through to industry.
The first step in this process is the disclosure of an invention to UTI. The UTI team then undertakes extensive technical, patent, market and product evaluation to determine, first, whether the invention can be protected and then whether or not it should be. Findings from early industry scans are shared with the inventor and if it is determined that the invention merits further development then the inventor and UTI execute a relationship management agreement which outlines the commercialization partnership between UTI and the inventor.
Following the protection of an invention the next stage in the technology transfer/commercialization process is to determine the best commercialization partner. In most cases, we license the invention to an existing company or, in a few cases, where we believe the technology can stand alone; we create a start up company. UTI professionals work closely with key industry partners and the inventors to determine the best solution for a particular innovation.
A major advantage for creators in working with UTI is that the up front costs of commercialization, such as intellectual property protection (patent searching, patenting, trademarking), marketing studies and legal fees are paid by UTI. UTI does not charge retainer fees, nor is the creator billed for time or expertise. If revenue is generated as a result of UTI’s commercialization activities, UTI will first recover its patent costs and then divide the revenue as per the University’s Intellectual Property policy. The creator’s revenue share is not reduced by using UTI, as UTI manages the University’s portion of any revenue that is generated from commercialization of the intellectual property. If the intellectual property fails to generate revenue, UTI does not seek to recover these costs.
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