Knowing how to handle co-invention with an outside organization

If the invention was the result of a funding agreement with an outside organization, whether non-profit, small business, or university, the government may elect to transfer the rights it has acquired from the employee co-inventor to the outside organization according to the terms of the funding agreement.

• The contractor must initiate the request for transfer of rights within 120 days of the date the contractor first becomes aware of the invention or within 15 days after the contractor becomes aware of the filing of the patent application, whichever comes first.
  
  
• The request for assignment of rights should be directed to the General Counsel and should include
  
  

  - the date the invention was conceived or reduced to practice
  
  

  - the names and business addresses of all known inventors
  
  

  - copies of any manuscripts or published papers describing the invention and any known public use of it
  
  

  - a statement of the contractor's contribution to the invention
  
  

  - a copy of any patent application that has been filed (within 15 days of the filing)

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Investigator

Transfer Officer

Center Director