Developing a chronological log of events and witnesses

In anticipation of possible patent disclosures, all Investigators are strongly encouraged to develop a chronological log throughout the course of a project in order to document the events leading to the idea. (If they have not been logged on a concurrent basis, they should be developed retrospectively at the time of disclosure.) Such a log serves to validate your claim to the invention. The Transfer Officer should be consulted as to whether a copy of the log should be attached to the disclosure statement.

The log should contain sufficient information to determine the following items:

• Date of conception
  
  
• Date and to whom the invention was first revealed
  
  
• Date disclosed
  
  
• Date of first written description
  
  
• Date of first sketch or drawing
  
  
• Date first device made
  
  
• Date first tested
  
  
• Published report(s)
  
  
• Persons with whom the development has been discussed and dates of those discussions

If possible, secure a witnessing signature (or signatures) of the first person(s) to whom disclosure was made.

Ideally, you should keep a bound log book for each project in which you make regular entries, describing what transpired, what was accomplished, and any pertinent new thoughts, ideas, or conclusions. Sign and date each page that lists a significant event or finding, then have it signed and dated by a witness.

Investigator

Transfer Officer

Center Director