Guidelines, Policies and Forms

IP Policy

The purpose of the IP policy is to promote innovation by UWS employees and students, and the commercialisation and dissemination of new intellectual property for the benefit of the University employees, students and the wider community.

Invention disclosure form

The Invention Disclosure Form (PDF, 178.81 KB) (opens in a new window) is available for students, staff and researchers to formally disclose their invention for assessment by Innovation.

UWS Innovation has launched a Short Invention Disclosure Form (DOCX, 29.78 KB) (opens in a new window) which is a one page form that can be completed in the first instance.

Non-Disclosure Agreement

An NDA is used by UWS researchers, staff and students when it is necessary to disclose an unpatented idea to third parties, such as proposed collaborators, business partners and investors.  For example, it might be necessary to have a third party contribute to a grant application, build a prototype or conduct diagnostic tests on your behalf.

A non-disclosure agreement (NDA) is a legal contract between at least two parties to protect any type of confidential and proprietary information, intellectual property or trade secrets. 

Any non-confidential disclosure of your invention to a third party in the absence of an NDA will constitute a public disclosure.  Intellectual property rights including patent rights can be jeopardised or lost by such disclosures.

It is important to contact UWS Innovation prior to any disclosure of your invention to a third party. For those requiring a non-disclosure agreement, please contact us.

Materials Transfer Agreement

Chemicals and biological materials including reagents, compounds, cell lines, plasmids and vectors are commonly the subject of MTAs.  Software and business methods may also be the subject of an MTA.

A materials transfer agreement (MTA) is a contract that governs the transfer of tangible research materials between the University and a third party.  The MTA defines the rights of the provider and the recipient with respect to use of the materials and any derivatives in research and any inventions that result from their use.

For those requiring a materials transfer agreement, please contact us.

Legal and commercial context

Information on the legal and commercial context in which Innovation operates.