How It Works
The mission of the Office of Technology Transfer is to help WPI inventors to achieve the maximum potential for commercial success and to accelerate the transfer of WPI discoveries from the lab to the market for the benefit of society on a local, national, and global level.
FAQ For Students
What is intellectual property at WPI?
At WPI, Intellectual property refers to any idea or invention you have created that has the potential to become a patent, trademark, copyright, or trade secret.
What is “significant use” of WPI resources?
Here is the definition from the WPI IP Policy:
Generally, an invention, software, or other copyrightable material, will not be considered to have been developed using WPI funds or facilities if:
- only a minimal amount of unrestricted funds has been used; and
- the Intellectual Property has been developed outside of the assigned area of research of the inventor(s)/author(s) under a research assistantship or sponsored project; and
- only a minimal amount of time has been spent using significant WPI facilities or only insignificant facilities and equipment have been utilized (note: use of office, library, machine shop facilities, and of traditional desktop personal computers are examples of facilities and equipment that are not considered significant); and
- the development has been made on the personal, unpaid time of the inventor(s)/author.
Using the Gordon Library , the WPI Innovation Studio, or other study locations for your personal intellectual property is not considered significant use. WPI would still like to hear from you and assist you with your entrepreneurial efforts.
What counts as Intellectual Property for me as a WPI student?
If you created an invention on your personal time at WPI, through IQP or MQP, for a class project, or for a professor, then you have created a piece of intellectual property.
How do I protect my idea or invention?
Come see us at OTC and we can coach and counsel on the best pathway to pursue.
What if my work is independent of WPI
If you created your invention without using any WPI resources and purchased the material on your own, then your invention is your own and WPI’s Office of Technology can provide help when it comes to marketing your invention.
What if I created my work independent of WPI but I want WPI to cover the patent application costs?
You have the option of requesting to being treated as a WPI faculty member where WPI will evaluate your idea and potentially cover your patent expenses and the profits will be split 50/50.
What if I created my work using significant resources without a professor and want to pursue it on my own?
Come see OTC and you will receive a letter confirming that the IP is yours. WPI will request up to 1% of the invention with the main goal of wanting to stay in touch and make sure you are a success. OTC will introduce you to patent counsel that will provide a significant discount to get your patent filed. OTC will also assist in helping guide you through the translational process and is available to help make introductions to potentially interested companies.
What if I created my idea or invention with a WPI faculty member?
You will be treated as a faculty member where WPI will cover your patent expenses and the profits will be split 50/50.
What if I want to work with a company on my idea or invention?
The OTC can provide you with a nondisclosure agreement to allow for you and the company to work with one another on the invention.