The intellectual property policies at the University of Oregon are outlined in Policy II.07.02.

Analysis of IP is simple at a for-profit company. Most of the time, the company owns the works created by its employees and controls how, when, and if these works will be used. Universities are much more complex. We value academic freedom while at the same time we take on obligations from sponsors of the research and scholarship we conduct that typically include obligations and expectations regarding IP.

As a public university, we hold IP in the public trust and that means all of us need to be responsible stewards. As stewards of the innovation created at the University of Oregon, we share the following principles:

• Making innovations developed at UO available to the community
• Expeditiously aiding the educational distribution of knowledge
• Encouraging innovation creation
• Providing guidelines for the stewardship of innovation
• Maintaining academic freedom
• Ensuring equitable sharing of any licensing income
• Appropriate attribution

The university has tasked Industry, Innovation, and Translation (IIT) with interpreting and administering our policy and procedures. Our mission is to facilitate faculty, staff, and student project goals while keeping these activities consistent with policy.

IIT serves as a resource to the campus community by:

• Identifying the needs and goals of projects in order to determine the best method for managing, developing, and distributing associated intellectual property
• Facilitating the transfer of knowledge and tools, including data and physical materials, while protecting confidentiality
• Assisting innovators in navigating and meeting federal and state compliance obligations and other applicable laws and regulations
• Enabling partnerships with private industry that are beneficial to innovators, businesses, and the community

Call or email IIT. IIT is passionate about the amazing innovations and works created at UO and they are happy to answer any of your questions.