Stanford's patent policy applies to all individuals who work at Stanford, or
who come here to engage in research. This includes all graduate students,
visiting researchers, postdoctoral affiliates, and those who are visiting by
arrangement through an Industrial Affiliate-type program. Everyone covered by
the policy is required to sign a patent and copyright agreement. The full
text of this policy is available on the web at
http://www.stanford.edu/dept/DoR/rph/5-1.html
For Stanford personnel, including faculty, staff and graduate students, the
SU-18 is the Stanford Patent and Copyright Agreement. However, there have been situations in which individuals coming to Stanford and subject to this policy have a conflicting obligation with regard to intellectual property. Often this agreement is with another employer to whom intellectual property is already obligated.
In these cases, we have resolved most potential conflicts by agreeing that:
- potentially patentable inventions produced here at Stanford, with more than
incidental use of Stanford resources, shall be disclosed to Stanford
- ownership of such inventions will be co-assigned between Stanford and the
other employer.
We have formalized this practice by creating an alternative Patent and
Copyright Agreement (SU-18A) for those who have continuing, conflicting obligations regarding intellectual property. Copies of this form are available from my office, or can be accessed from the web in the Research Policy Handbook and the OTL home page.
With regard to visitors, Stanford requires an intellectual property agreement
ONLY if a visitor will be at Stanford engaged in research activity for at
least one quarter. If the visitor will be using only libraries, standard
office equipment and space, however, no agreement is necessary.
Additionally, no intellectual property agreement is required of Honors Co-op
Students who typically attend Stanford classes at their employer's facilities.
I would like to take this opportunity to remind the University community of a
few points about our patent policy and the SU-18 agreement. Approved by the Board of Trustees, this policy is an outgrowth of the Faculty Policy on Conflict of Commitment and Interest. As directed by the Faculty Senate in 1994, the policy is aimed at the protection of University resources, and the avoidance of conflicts of interest. Those coming to Stanford while employed by other companies must separate work done for that employer from work done as part of their Stanford responsibilities. Except in specially approved circumstances, e.g. through a Research Participation Agreement or other approved projects, Stanford's research facilities may not be used for
commercial purposes.
I invite any of you who have questions about these policies to contact my
office, or Katharine Ku, Director of Stanford's Office of Technology Licensing.