Process

The UMKC Office of Technology Commercialization helps UMKC faculty and researchers transfer university inventions to the marketplace, turning innovative ideas into products, technologies, and services that benefit society.

Transferring the right to make, use, or sell a university-based innovation is a lengthy process that begins with submitting a confidential invention disclosure and can end in licensing your discovery or launching a new company.

Tech Commercialization Process

Whether you choose to publish, patent, or commercialize your invention, the Office of Technology Commercialization is here to help:

• Submit an Invention Disclosure
• Evaluate the discovery
• Protect your discovery
• Patent an invention and publish your research
• Request a waiver of university rights
• Request a non-assertion agreement
• Commercialize the invention

The Inventor's Role

As the inventor, your involvement is important to the entire patent and licensing process. The extent of your involvement varies according to the nature of the invention and your availability and interest.

Your expertise is especially helpful in:

• Evaluating the patentability of your discovery
• Providing technical evaluation of previous patents and publications in your field
• Supplying information to the patent attorney
• Reviewing draft applications and responses to government actions
• Identifying licensing prospects
• Meeting with companies expressing interest and discussing technical aspects of your discovery

Regardless of your level of involvement, we will keep you informed of the evaluation process and any actions taken. We consider and value your input as we make final decisions about the university's protection and licensing of the invention.