Services

1. Work with faculty researchers to determine the most appropriate way to commercialize a new invention, whether protection through filing patents or other intellectual property protection.
2. Work with faculty researchers to apply to various sources of funds for the development of early stage technologies, including NSERC Idea to Innovation, Ontario Centres of Excellence, Health Technology Exchange, or Accelerate Ontario.
3. York is a member of the Innovation and Synergy Centre at Markham, as well as York Biotech, a regional innovation network specializing in the commercialization of convergent medical technologies, both of which provide resources to York researchers.
4. Assess confidential disclosures for patentability, and partner with the researcher on filing patents as appropriate.

Process

1. A faculty member’s ownership of new intellectual property arising from their research is included under the York University Faculty Association Collective Agreement.
2. Disclosure of faculty researcher inventions to ORS is voluntary. Should a researcher wish to work with York to protect and commercialize an invention, she is required to fully disclose the invention by completing the Confidential Disclosure Form and submitting it to ORS.
3. Once ORS receives the signed confidential disclosure, ORS completes a due diligence search on components of the invention, current market for the invention and competitors in that market to provide VPRI with an opinion on patentability and commercialization opportunity for VPRI’s final decision.
4. Should York decide to work a faculty researcher to protect and commercialize intellectual property, the researcher is asked to sign an intellectual property agreement with the University outlining the terms of the arrangement.