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.

Here is how we can support you with IP:

What is the Imperial intellectual Property policy?
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This policy outlines how the Imperial manages and owns Intellectual Property, including the Discretionary Reward to Inventors Scheme. It applies to all staff, associates and students. Direct any questions to the Director of the Research Office.

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What are the rewards to inventors?

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

Where is IP guidance for students?

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

What should I do if Imperial has chosen not to commercialise IP?

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

How do I handle IP after I have formed a spin-out?

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

How do I release software under a Open source licences?

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

How do I complete the IP due diligence form?

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

What is the process for Imperial 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.

Find out more about the Imperial signatories for IP agreements

Does Imperial have a licence glossary?

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

How can I shape the future of research commercialisation?

Imperial Enterprise is seeking feedback from academics and researchers on its support for commercialisation, industry partnerships and spinouts.

Share your views in this 10-minute survey to help shape future support for research commercialisation. You could also win one of 3x £50 shopping vouchers as a thank you for participating.

Are there IP success stories?

From lab to global stage: Brilliant Dyes win global award

What began as a bold idea in a university lab has now captured global attention.

Monolith AI acquired by US cloud computing company

CoreWeave will make Monolith’s AI tools available to engineers, speeding design decisions and product innovation.

M-Spin takes next step in powering the hydrogen transition

M-Spin is developing high-surface area materials with properties that could improve vital technologies for the energy transition.

The discovery that launched a new wave of weight loss drugs

Professor Stephen Bloom’s pioneering work on GLP-1 epitomises Imperial’s cross-disciplinary approach to obesity and its impacts

Who should I contact about IP?

Depending on where you are in the intellectual property process, you have a few options: