Information for employees

How to harness the commercial world in implementing your research work

UMIP has been established by The University of Manchester to help protect and, where appropriate, commercialise the results of research owned by the University.  This covers research carried out by staff within all Departments of the University. As the Academic researcher, this is your section of the website and aims to help you learn about the commercialisation process and answer some of the questions you may have about intellectual property protection and the routes to commercialisation.

It is widely recognised that research, innovation and entrepreneurship need to be harnessed further in order to maintain and promote economic growth. The University therefore actively seeks to protect its intellectual property (IP) and to commercialise the results of research where appropriate. Furthermore, we have a contractual obligation to protect IP where the research is funded by a Research Council or charitable institution. Much industrially sponsored contract research is funded specifically to generate valuable IP.

Revenue earned through commercialising University IP can benefit the research worker, the research itself and the Department, as well as the University. The reputational and financial rewards can sometimes be substantial, but the process requires careful management, often over a long period.

Although it is impossible to guarantee that your idea can be protected or will be commercialised, we have a proven track record of success. Although we act for the University, usually the aims of the University and yourself will be the same.  Over 20 years of technology transfer activity we have:

• Licensed over 250 inventions
• Established 100 spin-off companies

Wherever you are within the University, we are here to:

• Help you identify and protect intellectual property
• Determine commercial applications
• Help harness the commercial world to implement your ideas

Neither the University nor UMIP acts on your behalf when dealing with such arrangements, such as negotiating IP licences or arrangements to establish spin-out companies, and so you are recommended to seek independent advice. However, as your employer the University is concerned to see that you are treated fairly by others, such as licensees or investors in any spin-out company.

Resources

If you want to learn more about how we can help to protect and commercialise your work, then click here to read the Commercial process section. There is also a comprehensive on line resource available on the University web site. If you have any questions or want to discuss your ideas, please click here to see the contact section.