Frequently Asked Questions
- How
do I get started?
Begin by contacting the Technology
Transfer Office to arrange an informal discussion about
your idea, discovery, invention, or authored work.
Telephone:
(619) 594-3176
Fax:
(619) 549-0354
Email:
tto@foundation.sdsu.edu
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- What do I have to do to get
the process rolling?
The first step is to disclose your invention
or authored work to the University. You do this by documenting your
invention or copyrightable work. Two simple forms are required,
a Disclosure of Invention or Copyrightable Work and a Declaration
of Institutional Support. Forms are available either on this site
on the Forms page or on the GRA
website.
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- Why should I disclose to the University?
There are two main reasons. First, you are
required to do so under the terms of virtually all federally funded
programs and many other granting agencies that supported your work.
Secondly, in almost all situations, faculty and staff are required
to disclose by virtue of the fact that they are employees of SDSU.
SDSU policy indicates that faculty and staff shall be aware of the
necessity to disclose. In addition, the TTO has substantial experience
and can help you accomplish the commercial goals you and the University
wish to achieve with inventions and authored works.
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- I am scheduled to speak about (or make a presentation or publish) my work. How do
I protect my work?
Once you have disclosed your work to the University, the TTO can protect your invention(s) or authored work with patents or other ownership processes. We know the importance of work with critical time schedules, yours and those involving the patenting process.
However, if you are making public the details of your work without
a CDA (Confidential Disclosure Agreement: See SDSU
Procedures for Inventions and Authored Work. It is imperative
the information in the publication relating directly to facts that
would enable "someone skilled in the art" to reduce the idea to
practice are not revealed in the discourse. Doing so puts your work
in the public domain. Work that is in the public domain cannot be
protected.
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- Does it cost anything to
meet with the TTO?
No. The TTO is here to serve the University community. The TTO budget pays many of the expenses associated with the management of intellectual property. However, when technology is licensed and the licensee generates revenues, the TTO is then reimbursed for the "out-of-pocket expenses" it has incurred for protecting or commercializing that technology, such as legal and patenting expenses.
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- What if the documents you
provide in this web site do not fit my situation or
if I disagree with the terms indicated in these documents?
Each project is unique and will require contractual language and conditions that are appropriate for that project. We have provided boilerplate documents on the web site to give you an idea of what each document entails. But they are by no means "written in stone". Each agreement is subject to modification and editing to fit the specific needs of your project.
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- Why would I start a new business?
Sometimes a technology is so unique that licensees to commercialize the work are not apparent. Or it may be that a faculty member wants to be entrepreneurial and create a business from his/her creative work. The TTO can help you decide if an NBV
New Business Venture is right for you and your intellectual property.
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- Can I just come in and talk about my invention or authored work?
Yes, we encourage you to take a few minutes to discuss your work and goals. Please call (619) 594-3176 to set an appointment at your convenience. We look forward to meeting you and to discussing your work and its potential.
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