What is the patenting process at the UW?
The decision to file a patent application is made by a UW TechTransfer technology manger in consultation with the inventor(s). However, UW TechTransfer does not pursue patent protection for all innovations disclosed to the office. A patent is ultimately a business decision – will the value of distributing your innovation be substantially increased by a patent? The patenting process at the UW begins with you, the UW researcher. Once you have determined that you have a unique innovation or discovery as a result of your research, the next step is to engage UW TechTransfer. If your innovation or discovery is hardware or biologicals, a Record of Invention (ROI) form needs to be submitted.If your innovation or discovery is software or digital materials, you will work with our Digital Ventures unit. Once you have contacted UW TechTransfer, a technology manager assigned to your case will meet with you to learn more about your innovation and to work with you in determining whether a patent is a
The patenting process at the UW begins with reporting your unique innovation or discovery. Once you have determined that you have a unique innovation or discovery as a result of your research, the next step on the road to obtaining a patent is to read and fill out a Record of Invention (ROI) form (see Reporting an Innovation FAQs ). Once UW TechTransfer receives your ROI information, a technology manager assigned to your case will meet with you to learn more about your innovation. The technology manager will evaluate your innovation for both the commercial potential and patentability, and whether seeking a patent is the appropriate intellectual property strategy. If the technology manager determines that the invention is patentable and has market potential, you and the manager will work together with a patent attorney to draft a patent application. When a patent application is filed with the USPTO, it is routed to a patent examiner with the appropriate scientific background for review.
