For MSU Innovators

Inventions covers a broad swath of domains. Generally speaking, an invention is a new development that may be of value to others. New materials, techniques, and devices are traditionally identified as inventions. Software, data, biological materials, and plant varieties are also amongst the many fields of inventions at MSU.

Congratulations! Please contact TTO to discuss your innovation or download, fill out, and submit the MSU invention disclosure form. Once the form is received, we will begin the formal review process to determine appropriate intellectual property protection measures as well as development and commercialization marketing activities.  

Invention disclosures and subsequent intellectual property protection actions, such as patenting, should not impede your abiilty to disseminate your work; however, it is imperative that new inventions be disclosed to TTO before they are presented, published, or otherwise disseminated publicly. This helps fulfill obligations we have as MSU employees to comply with Board of Regents policies and protect the taxpayers investment in MSU research. Fortunately, the disclosure process does not require much deviation from the typical publication or presentation workflow as a draft manuscript or presentation is typically sufficient to support an invention disclosure. 

The answer depends on a variety of factors; however, MSU typically owns intellectual property (IP) under the following circumstances: 1) IP created by faculty and staff when the IP arises from the individual's assigned duties as an MSU employee; 2) IP created by the use of MSU facilities beyond the normal academic environment; and/or 3) when stipulated by clauses of grant or sponsored research contracts. Please contact TTO if you have questions regarding ownership of IP at MSU. Board of Regents policies governing IP ownership are available on the TTO webiste.  

Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA) are used to protect proprietary MSU and partner information. Such agreements can safeguard MSU intellectual property and enable communication with partners without violating obligations as MSU employees. The MSU Technology Transfer Office manages NDAs. Please contact us to learn more.

Material Transfer Agreements (MTA) are used to protect proprietary MSU and partner property, such as material samples; cell lines, germplasm, and other biological materials; software; and a variety of other related items. The MSU Technology Transfer Office manages MTAs.  Please contact us to learn more.

Absolutely. A Sponsored Research Agreement (SRA) with an industry partner can be an effective means of further developing and commercializing innovations from MSU. In exchange for providing funding to support your research, the partner typically receives an option to license innovations resulting from the collaboration. A successful project may result in a license agreement that generates income for you as an inventor. TTO can help identify potential industry sponsors for you, or work with you to explore opportunities with a prospective partners you already know. 

Yes. A Testing Services Agreement (TSA) enables you to perform testing for partners and to be paid to reimburse the cost of the testing provided. Please note that a TSA is appropriate for non-collaborative activities where new intellectual property is not likely to be created. For example, if the work is intended to create a new innovation or improve an existing technology, a Sponsored Research Agreement should be considered instead of a TSA. The Office of Research Compliance manages TSAs.  

Yes. A Facilities/Equipment Use Agreement can be used to make research facilities, laboratories, and equipment available to entities outside MSU. Regular classrooms and the Library are excluded, as are activities that would distrupt regular academic, laboratory or research programs at MSU and that the facility/equipment is not needed by University affiliated faculty, students or other empoyees at the time request. Additional requirements are detailed in Board of Regents policy. Facility/Equipment Use Agreements are managed by the Office of Sponsored Research.

A license is a legal agreement typically granting rights to make, use, and sell products and services based on intellectual property. For example, MSU (the licensee) may enter into a license agreement with a person, company, non-profit, other other entity (the licensor) that enables the licensor to manufacture and sell a product based on a particular MSU invention. In exchange for those rights, the licensor typically pays MSU a royalty based on sales in addition to other financial considerations. These licensing revenues are shared between the inventor and MSU. 

TTO can assist your entrepreneurial andeavors by exploring licensing and startup opportunities. In addition, we can connect you with various MSU and external resources who can provide additional guidance and resources.  For instance, MSU's Blackstone Launchpad is a great starting point for potential startup discussions.  The Montana Innovation Partnership is a no-cost resource at MSU's TechLink Center that can help connect you with SBIR/STTR funding opportunities.  If you would rather explore related topics on your own, there are a plethora of free online resources available, including the Techstars Entrepreneur's Toolkit.

There are an evolving set of "Gap Fund" programs at MSU to support the pre-commercialization activities around faculty inventions exhibiting strong market potential. These program are not intended to support basic research or answer fundamental scientific questions, but to advance the technology toward commercialization.  Inquire with the Technology Transfer Office about current and upcoming opportunities.

Students who are not being paid as MSU employees typically own the intellectual property resulting from their work. However, an MSU student may be obligated to assign their intellectual property rights in an invention if the invention results from a project of a proprietary nature and/or funded by a project sponsor. The most common instances are capstone projects, senior design projects, independent study, or performing volunteer work in a research laboratory, where the effort is funded by a sponsor (e.g. federal agency, state government, foundation, industry). In such where MSU has a legal obligation to fulfill regarding intellectual property ownership, the student, faculty advisor, and project sponsor should download and review the Montana State University Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Project Intellectual Property Rights.