These documents provide guidance on processes and policies concerning how Imperial handles Intellectual Property (IP). This information is particularly relevant for Imperial staff who have made an invention or discovery in the course of their work.
Intellectual Property Guidance
- What is the Imperial intellectual Property policy?
- What are the rewards to inventors?
- Where is IP guidance for students?
- What should I do if Imperial has chosen not to commercialise IP?
- What should I do if I generate IP in your lab after forming a start-up?
- How do I handle IP after I have formed a spin-out?
- How do I release software under a Open source licences?
- How do I complete the IP due diligence form?
- What is the process for Imperial signatories for IP agreements?
- Does Imperial have a licence glossary?
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The Rewards to Inventors scheme ensures that staff at Imperial who licence their technologies receive a meaningful share of the revenue from successful commercialisation, rewarding innovation and encouraging further research impact.
Find out more about Rewards to Inventors
An overview of student IP ownership, exceptions and when they apply, and how students can seek an IP confirmation letter. This document also includes a flowchart that can be used to evaluate whether Imperial's student IP policy applies in a given case.
Find out more about student IP guidance
Process for Imperial inventors to request assignment of intellectual property that is formally abandoned or rejected by the Imperial Commercialisation team
Find out more about the assignment of IP the Imperial has chosen not to commercialise
Staff at Imperial are urged to document intellectual property details carefully when creating a spin-out. You must record inventors, funding sources, third-party inputs and contributions. Clear IP provenance and documentation help ensure clean ownership ahead of licensing or investment.
Find out more about Generating IP in your lab
Guidance for Imperial spinout founders who remain Imperial employees on how to support due diligence, identify ownership, obligations and rights to use IP and maintain 'clean' IP for your company.
Find out more about generating IP in your lab after you form a spinout
Guidance for Imperial academics who wish to release software under an open source licence. It includes a flowchart that can be used to guide decision-making about what type of licence to use. It outlines Imperial's preferred approach and includes an example licence template.
Find out more about guidance on Open Source Software Licences
Imperial requires staff to complete an “IP due diligence form” when disclosing new intellectual property.
We asks for a clear description of the invention or process, its inventors and contributors, any third-party inputs or funding, and relevant rights or encumbrances (e.g. prior art, licenses, collaborations). It ensures ownership, inventorship, background IP and legal obligations are documented — critical before licensing or spinning out technology.
Find out more Completing an IP due diligence form
An overview of the process IP of assignment from Imperial to Imperial College Innovations Ltd (ICIL) including authorised College signatories in the process and their delegated authorities. Access to the document requires an Imperial log-in.
Find out more about the Imperial signatories for IP agreements
The licensing glossary page explains common terms used in licence agreements for intellectual property — definitions helping staff understand licensing language such as rights granted, exclusivity, royalties, and field-of-use constraints.
Find out more about Licensing glossary
Other links and useful documents
College IP policy
This document sets out the College’s Intellectual Property (IP) Policy which governs the ownership and management of College IP and College’s discretionary Reward to Inventors Scheme. This policy applies to all College employees, associates and students.
Access to the document requires an Imperial log-in.
Any related queries should be forwarded to the Director of the Research Office.
Rewards to Inventors scheme (pdf)
Information on Imperial’s discretionary scheme for sharing the proceeds of IP commercialisation with Imperial employees. Access to the document requires an Imperial log-in.
A College guide to working with industry and commercialising your research (pdf)
An overview of the process leading to working with industry and commercialising inventions. Access to the document requires an Imperial log-in.
College signatories for IP agreements
An overview of the process IP of assignment from Imperial to Imperial College Innovations Ltd (ICIL) including authorised College signatories in the process and their delegated authorities. Access to the document requires an Imperial log-in.