Technology Disclosure

Download the Technology Transfer Form

The established process for technology disclosure and Intellectual Property protection at the University of Windsor includes the following steps: 

1. Disclosure of innovation: Disclosing to the research partnerships office using confidential technology disclosure form to present novel findings in detail along with relevant background. Researchers can select to opt-in for pursuing IP protection with the assistance of the University.

2. Evaluation of the Innovation: A preliminary evaluation is performed by our team to assess whether the finding is novel, purposeful, non-obvious and if the technology has commercializable potential. The Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Committee further reviews the disclosure and provides feedback to the Executive Director, Research and Innovation. The possible outcomes of this review include:

• Disclosure is approved for University assistance and a provisional patent application is drafted. 
• Disclosure is not approved, and IP returned to the inventor. 

3. Filing Provisional Patent: Inventor(s) sign a technology ownership and commercialization agreement, which grants ownership to the University, and our staff proceeds to conduct technology and market research initiatives with the inventors.  

4. Market Assessment of Innovation: All our inventors are encouraged to apply for NSERC Idea to Innovation grants which provide market assessment, and prototype development funding. Alternative funding options can be explored as well.  

5. Evaluation for full patent: The technology, as well as any market assessments and commercialization plans, are reviewed again by the committee before 12 months from the date of provisional patent filing. The committee then recommends a decision regarding pursuing full patent application(s).   

6. Marketing and Commercialization: This step involves assessment of business plans, commercialization progress, in the efforts to licensing the technology, or the creation of a spin-out company. 

​Throughout this process, researchers should maintain the confidentiality of their invention by avoiding any public disclosure. A “public disclosure” includes publication in a journal or conference proceeding, and also refers to anything in the “public domain”. Public disclosure refers to any communication that can be read, spoken, and/or viewed by the general public, which may include the internet, radio, television, written publications, e-mail, presentation, slides, poster at conferences or presentations/seminars, workshops/lectures, advertisements, public use or even a sale or an offer for sale. In Canada, applying for government funding may be a public disclosure in certain circumstances.

For further information about the methods of protecting intellectual property, please visit the Canadian Intellectual Property Office or contact the Research Partnerships Team