Commercial Ventures & Intellectual Property
UMass Boston Commercial Ventures and Intellectual Property (CVIP) evaluates, protects and commercializes inventions and discoveries created by faculty, staff and students. We also handle questions about copyright, material transfer, and confidential disclosure agreements.
If you have any questions about research results that may have commercial potential, how to work with industry partners, or any general questions about intellectual property created while you are a faculty member at the university, please contact the Director of Industry Relations Susan Hanlon Daudelin at susan.daudelin@umb.edu or call 617.287.5710 for guidance. All invention disclosures should be submitted to Susan Daudelin by emailing the invention disclosure form to her at susan.daudelin@umb.edu. Working in consultation with the extensive resources of the Commercial Ventures and Intellectual Property (CVIP) central office, which is part of the President's Office, Daudelin directs all aspects of intellectual property for the Boston campus.
In no case should outside entities be informed of an invention prior to notifying CVIP. Premature public disclosure may prevent the ability to obtain a patent and generate a source of revenue for you and your laboratory. Your invention can be protected with a Confidential Disclosure Agreement between the University and the off-campus institution.
If CVIP recommends that the University file for a patent, the Invention Disclosure is sent to our patent counsel who prepares the patent application. Some of your time is required during the preparation stage of the patent application, but you can minimize this if you have a manuscript available.
CVIP devises licensing strategies including financial goals for the University, and creates a profile of strong potential licensees including those industry contacts recommended by investigators. We then contact one or more appropriate for-profit companies to determine their interest and ability to commercialize the technology. Your assistance is very valuable during this effort, and we keep you informed of all developments. CVIP has primary responsibility to draft agreements, conduct negotiations and execute final agreements.
