USC Launches a Modernized Intellectual Property Policy
After more than two decades, the University of Southern California (USC) has officially launched a new Intellectual Property (IP) Policy—marking a major milestone for faculty, students, and the broader USC innovation ecosystem.
Effective March 1, 2026, the updated policy replaces a framework that was last revised 25 years ago. In that time, the nature of research, collaboration, and commercialization has fundamentally transformed. Software, data, digital platforms, AI-enabled tools, and interdisciplinary partnerships are now central to how research creates real-world impact. The new policy reflects that reality and positions USC for the future.
What’s New
The updated IP Policy is designed to incentivize commercialization through increased inventor royalty sharing, while clarifying intellectual property ownership in a way that preserves academic freedom. It reduces uncertainty for faculty, students, and collaborators by providing clearer expectations for ownership of IP and thus more transparent pathways for translation and commercialization. The policy also introduces greater flexibility to accommodate modern research structures, including complex collaborations with more student involvement. Taken together, these changes strengthen USC’s innovation ecosystem by better aligning incentives across all USC stakeholders involved in moving research from discovery to real-world solutions.
A Balanced and Flexible Framework
A core principle of the new policy is balance—between institutional stewardship and individual creativity. Scholarly works remain faculty-owned, while USC ownership applies only where required by funding obligations or the substantial use of university resources. When questions arise, the policy emphasizes straightforward consultation and clarity, rather than delay or presumption.
This approach is intended to eliminate friction, empower researchers to move forward with confidence, and ensure that commercialization pathways are clear from the outset—whether through startups, industry partnerships, licensing, or other forms of translation.
Built for Today—and the Future
The new IP Policy was developed with extensive input from faculty and campus stakeholders and is intentionally forward-looking. It is structured to accommodate evolving forms of innovation and to support new models of translation, startup formation, and industry engagement—without requiring constant rewrites as technology and research practices continue to evolve.
As research continues to move faster and become more collaborative and interdisciplinary, USC now has a policy framework that can evolve alongside it. Faculty and staff are encouraged to explore:
- USC Intellectual Property Policy and Overview Video.
- The redesigned USC Stevens website that features new faculty-focused resources and an overview of USC’s innovation ecosystem.
After 25 years, USC’s IP Policy finally matches the ambition, creativity, and impact of its research community. The wait is over—and the next chapter of innovation at USC has begun!