About Intellectual Property IP Training IP Outreach IP for… IP and... IP in... Patent & Technology Information Trademark Information Industrial Design Information Geographical Indication Information Plant Variety Information (UPOV) IP Laws, Treaties & Judgements IP Resources IP Reports Patent Protection Trademark Protection Industrial Design Protection Geographical Indication Protection Plant Variety Protection (UPOV) IP Dispute Resolution IP Office Business Solutions Paying for IP Services Negotiation & Decision-Making Development Cooperation Innovation Support Public-Private Partnerships The Organization Working with WIPO Accountability Patents Trademarks Industrial Designs Geographical Indications Copyright Trade Secrets WIPO Academy Workshops & Seminars World IP Day WIPO Magazine Raising Awareness Case Studies & Success Stories IP News WIPO Awards Business Universities Indigenous Peoples Judiciaries Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Cultural Expressions Economics Gender Equality Global Health Climate Change Competition Policy Sustainable Development Goals Enforcement Frontier Technologies Mobile Applications Sports Tourism PATENTSCOPE Patent Analytics International Patent Classification ARDI – Research for Innovation ASPI – Specialized Patent Information Global Brand Database Madrid Monitor Article 6ter Express Database Nice Classification Vienna Classification Global Design Database International Designs Bulletin Hague Express Database Locarno Classification Lisbon Express Database Global Brand Database for GIs PLUTO Plant Variety Database GENIE Database WIPO-Administered Treaties WIPO Lex - IP Laws, Treaties & Judgments WIPO Standards IP Statistics WIPO Pearl (Terminology) WIPO Publications Country IP Profiles WIPO Knowledge Center WIPO Technology Trends Global Innovation Index World Intellectual Property Report PCT – The International Patent System ePCT Budapest – The International Microorganism Deposit System Madrid – The International Trademark System eMadrid Article 6ter (armorial bearings, flags, state emblems) Hague – The International Design System eHague Lisbon – The International System of Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications eLisbon UPOV PRISMA Mediation Arbitration Expert Determination Domain Name Disputes Centralized Access to Search and Examination (CASE) Digital Access Service (DAS) WIPO Pay Current Account at WIPO WIPO Assemblies Standing Committees Calendar of Meetings WIPO Official Documents Development Agenda Technical Assistance IP Training Institutions COVID-19 Support National IP Strategies Policy & Legislative Advice Cooperation Hub Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISC) Technology Transfer Inventor Assistance Program WIPO GREEN WIPO's Pat-INFORMED Accessible Books Consortium WIPO for Creators WIPO ALERT Member States Observers Director General Activities by Unit External Offices Job Vacancies Procurement Results & Budget Financial Reporting Oversight

Universities and Intellectual Property

Universities and public research institutions (PRIs) are the factories of the knowledge economy.

Intellectual property (IP) adds another mechanism for universities to disseminate the knowledge that they generate and to have that knowledge used in the economic sector.

(Photo : Getty Images/GORODENKOFF)

What we do

We provide advice, support and resources to help universities and PRIs around the world tap into their IP and continue fueling the innovation that drives society forward.

Resources

We maintain a non-exhaustive list of free resources for universities and PRIs.

(Image: Getty Images/Maximkostenko)

Database of IP Policies from Universities and Research Institutions

What better way to learn than from others? Search intellectual property policies, manuals and model agreements from universities and research institutions worldwide.

(Image: Getty Images/Maximkostenko)

Knowledge Transfer for Universities

For great ideas to flourish, they need to make their way from universities and research centers into the hands of the consumer. Understanding IP issues around knowledge transfer can help get discoveries from the lab to the marketplace.

University IP in action

A selection of case studies on the topic of IP policies and knowledge transfer in practice. Find more case studies.

(Photo: MIT)

Life in 3D

Find out about one pioneering scientist's work on bridging the gap between the 2D and 3D worlds.

(Photo: Uncharted Play)

Ball power

What if you could help solve sustainability problems simply by playing football?

(Photo: Inova)

Developing innovation

A test for genetic deafness in newborns is just one invention from Brazil's first university-based technology transfer office.

(Photo: TRE)

Satellite surveying

Imagine being able to use satellites in space to identify areas at risk of landslides, floods, earthquakes, and more.

How we can help you

Aside from our free database of IP policies, we undertake a growing range of activities to support the development of IP policies for universities and PRIs around the world.

Our activities take place upon official request from our member states. If you are a member state and wish to find out more, please get in touch.

(Photo: Getty Images/Peshkova)

Awareness raising

We organize events for governments, universities and PRIs to explain how and why institutional IP policies can be of use.

We also develop tools, such as free WIPO publications, that policy makers and individuals can use in educating others.

(Photo: Getty Images/alvarez)

Capacity building

We run several country projects which can involve:

  • fact-finding missions and sharing of best practices;
  • development of tailor-made national model IP policies;
  • practical assistance to selected universities and PRIs in drafting tailored IP policies.
(Photo: Getty Images/Rawpixel)

Policy analysis

We provide advice and assistance to our member states on how best to establish a clear national regulatory framework/policy for IP rights developed within universities and PRIs.