Researchers & UT Community

DISCLOSE
YOUR
TECHNOLOGY

There are countless ways our faculty, staff, and students work in service to society every day. One important way is developing tools, technologies, and treatments that can be put into use. From lithium-ion batteries to COVID-19 vaccines, we know a groundbreaking discovery is only half the work. Getting it out of our labs and studios and into people’s hands is where impact happens. We protect your innovations so you can present, publish, and speak about them with peace of mind.

DISCLOSE YOUR TECHNOLOGY

We protect your innovations so you can present, publish, and speak about them with peace of mind.

HOW TO DISCLOSE

Once you disclose your idea with us, we can file a patent to protect your intellectual property and evaluate its commercial 
potential, whether by licensing it to others or providing you with the market insights you need to turn it into a startup. The Intellectual Property Development Team manages intellectual property generated by UT faculty, staff, and students and helps inventors shape their discoveries into technologies that address a market need. This team also oversees patent filing, prosecution, and maintenance as well as outbound software and copyright licenses, including releasing software under open-source licenses.
1. Prepare Details
Authorship Copyright Disclosure
Life Sciences Invention Disclosure
Materials Invention Disclosure
Physical Sciences and Engineering Invention Disclosure
Software Copyright Disclosure
2. Submit Disclosure
Once you’ve complete the appropriate disclosure form, submit it below to the linked email address.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a disclosure?

A disclosure is a formal notification of an invention or innovation that ensures your work is recognized and protected.

Why should I disclose?

Submitting your disclosure helps secure your intellectual property rights and provides you with access to the resources and expertise you need to bring your vision to life — and to market.

How do I disclose?

Complete the required disclosure form above and provide detailed information about your discovery, including its purpose and potential applications. After you submit your disclosure, our team will contact you with next steps.

What happens after disclosure?

After you submit your disclosure, our team evaluates its potential for protection and commercialization. Then, we meet with you to develop a strategy tailored to your goals.

Is my disclosure confidential?

Yes. Our team handles your information with the utmost privacy.

What is the new distribution of revenue policy and when does it go into effect?

The University of Texas at Austin established a new policy regarding distribution of net income resulting from licensing of Intellectual Property (IP). The new policy directs:

  • 45% to the inventor(s)/creator(s) associated with the IP;
  • 45% to the University share; and
  • 10% to the College(s)/School(s) associated with the IP.

This change in revenue distribution applies to all IP disclosures digitally received by the Discovery to Impact office on or after October 1, 2023.

What was the previous distribution policy?

The previous distribution policy allocated (50% to the inventor(s)/creator(s) and 50% to the University Share). This previous policy is in effect until September 30, 2023.

Who is the new distribution of revenue policy applicable to?

The new distribution of revenue policy, like the previous policy, applies to all University of Texas at Austin faculty, staff, researchers, and students who submit an IP disclosure to Discovery to Impact.

What if I have more than one appointment at the University of Texas at Austin or at Dell Medical School?

Inventors are encouraged to identify and list which appointment capacity they are operating under at the time of conceiving the invention and supporting the development of the innovation.

What happens to my old IP/technology?

Any disclosure received by the Discovery to Impact office prior to October 1, 2023, will fall under the prior distribution policy (50% to the inventor(s)/creator(s) and 50% to the University Share).

How will distributions be made to departments?

Distributions will be made to the College or School that the inventor(s)/creator(s) list on the invention disclosure form as the relevant College/School for the discovery.

When there are inventors spanning multiple Colleges or Schools, percent distributions to the Colleges or Schools will follow the same distribution contribution percentages as the inventors/creators in the Inventor Distribution Allocation Plan.

Under this new plan, how can departments use the funds?

The University expects the Deans to use funds distributed to advance commercialization of existing research or to generate additional research that could lead to commercialization opportunities.

Colleges/Schools are authorized to distribute a portion of the proceeds to the Department/Unit which was the source of the IP. Colleges/Schools are encouraged to work with Discovery to Impact to develop new programs or expand existing programs to benefit commercialization efforts across the University.

How does the University of Texas at Austin use revenue from licensed IP?

The University of Texas at Austin uses funds received from licensed IP to recapture IP expenses incurred by the University for the development of the IP. The University also uses these funds to support the development and growth of commercialization and entrepreneurial programs.

Can inventors direct revenue from licenses back to their area of research?

Inventors can request for their eligible revenue to be directed back to their lab or in support of other areas within their department or the university.

Where can I find a disclosure form to fill out details of my IP invention?

Invention Disclosure forms can be found on the Discovery to Impact website: https://discoveries.utexas.edu/for-campus-inventors-entrepreneurs/

Who do I send my completed disclosure form to?

Please email all disclosure forms to: disclosure@discoveries.utexas.edu

Where can I find the University's IP policy?
If I have additional questions about this new policy and/or the process, whom do I contact?

Please reach out to Chun Kuo, Director of Intellectual Property, Discovery to Impact at: chunkuo@utexas.edu

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HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS?

Our Intellectual Property Development team can provide additional details on disclosure, patents, and copyright, as well as personalized guidance on how to get started.
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