506 Patent Policy
Yale University's policy on patents is based on the principles that creation of inventions frequently occurs in the conduct of research or teaching and that encouragement of inventive activity is supportive of the public interest and consistent with the advancement of knowledge for its own sake.
The policy specifically addresses laws and regulations relating to the disposition of inventions that result from federally-funded research and the obligations incurred by the University in its sponsored research agreements with both federal and private organizations.
The University asserts ownership of inventions that result from the usual activities of its faculty and staff or of inventions that result from the use of its facilities. All inventions must be reported promptly in writing to the Provost, through the Director of the Office of Cooperative Research. The University will seek to make the invention available to the public through licensing and, as defined in the policy, ordinarily will share any royalties received (after deduction of expenses) with the inventor(s). The University's share of royalties normally will be used to support research and/or teaching activities.
A full statement of University policy is available from the Office of Cooperative Research.
Xref: TOM 908
