If we haven’t listed a question you have below, please feel free to contact us or drop by the office.
I am interested in collaborating with industry partners but not sure how to connect with them – what are the next steps?
Please contact ICE – we can help connect you to companies and industry research funding programs.
What are some potential sources of funding for industry related projects?
Please see the following link: FUNDING
What is intellectual property (IP)?
The term "intellectual property" can be defined as the materials or communicable results of intellectual activity or scholarly inquiry. Intellectual property can be such things as inventions (technologies), computer software, trade-marks, databases, courseware, literary, artistic, musical, or visual works, and know-how. For more information, please see Intellectual Property Primer
If I work with a company on a research project will I own the resulting IP?
This depends on a variety of factors, including who is funding the research and the individual arrangements agreed to with the company. Please contact ICE for further information.
Where can I find Acadia’s IP Policy?
Acadia’s current IP policy is outlined in Article 33 of the Collective Agreement.
Will my discussions with ICE about my idea or technology be held confidential?
Yes! All discussions relating to intellectual property are held in strict confidence.
Who owns what I develop? What if there are multiple inventors?
Generally speaking, faculty members own the intellectual property they develop at Acadia. There are exceptions to this however; for example, IP developed in partnership with staff, IP developed during industry sponsored research projects, etc. These exceptions can be found in Article 33.03 within Article 33 of the Collective Agreement. If there are multiple faculty members (and/or students) involved in a project there may be multiple inventors. ICE can help you sort out intellectual property ownership.
Do I have to disclose IP to ICE?
As per Article 33 of the Collective Agreement, Acadia faculty members are required to disclose intellectual property (inventions). If faculty members are interested in commercializing their technology, they may choose to do so themselves, or assign their technology to ICE to undertake commercialization efforts on their behalf.
What are the benefits of commercializing IP through ICE?
ICE has a successful track record of commercializing Acadia technologies. We encourage you to chat with faculty members who have previously worked with ICE. In addition to in-house legal and business expertise, ICE has access to an entire network of commercialization professionals through the Springboard Network, as well as access to funding programs that will help you advance your technology.
When should I disclose an invention to OTL?
You should complete an Invention Disclosure Form whenever you feel you have discovered something unique with potential commercial value. This should be done before disclosing the technology via publications, conferences, etc.