FORMS OF AGREEMENT USED IN MANAGING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
COMMERCIALISING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SERIES #7
Published by NuBooks, an imprint of Oak Tree Press, 19 Rutland Street, Cork, Ireland
www.oaktreepress.com
ISBN: 978-1-84621-146-1 (PDF)
ISBN: 978-1-84621-147-8 (ePub)
ISBN: 978-1-84621-148-5 (Kindle)
© 2012 Dr. John P. Mc Manus.
All rights reserved. This eBook may not be reprinted or distributed in electronic, print, web or other format without express written permission.
The information contained in this publication is intended for guideline purposes only and does not represent legal advice. Readers should always seek independent legal and/or other professional advice specific to their own requirements before taking any action based on the information provided herein.
Extracted from INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY: FROM CREATION TO COMMERCIALISATION – A Practical Guide for Innovators & Researchers, by Dr. John P. Mc Manus, published by Oak Tree Press.
1: INTRODUCTION
Most technologies developed today are complex in nature and generally require interaction between researchers for various reasons ranging from simple exchanges of information and materials, to a formal collaboration between different organisations at a national level or perhaps cooperation between multidisciplinary teams at an international level forming a large consortium of partners.
Whatever the purpose of the interaction, exchanges of proprietary information follow, with the possible emergence of ideas, inventive concepts and even new intellectual property (IP). To ensure that all parties involved are clear on the objectives of the interaction and are satisfied that their interests are being properly guarded, it makes sense to document the terms under which the parties wish to cooperate with completion of an agreement appropriate to the purpose of the interaction.
Some of the relevant agreements are quite detailed and complex in nature. The objective of this ebook, therefore, is to review the typical agreement types that can be used for different levels of cooperation, highlighting the key aspects that researchers and those managing the exploitation of technologies need to be aware of.