An Invention Disclosure Form (IDF) should be completed when a researcher would like to investigate the commercial potential of their research. When completing and submitting a form, the following points should be kept in mind:
- It is important that the IDF identifies all those who are considered to be inventors, i.e. those that have made an inventive contribution to the invention. All of the designated inventors should sign the IDF and agree their percentage ownership prior to submission.
- The rules for naming inventors are different to the general guidelines employed for determining co-authorship. In order to be deemed an inventor, an individual must have made a material contribution to the conception of the invention. Simply taking part in the reduction-to-practice of the invention does not make an individual an inventor. If there is doubt as to who should be designated as inventors, please contact us to discuss.
- Patents are commercial tools, therefore, one of the most important parts of the IDF is the section dealing with commercialisation, and it is important that due consideration is given to the completion of this section.
- It is important that the inventors carry out a comprehensive patent search to establish the novelty of the invention prior to submission of the IDF. Details of such searches should be disclosed in the IDF, even if no relevant prior art is revealed. Contact us for advice on which patent databases to use.