Invention Disclosure Process
Submitting an invention disclosure is the first step to turning research into real-world solutions. The Stevens Center reviews each disclosure, evaluates potential IP protection options, and works with you to determine the strongest pathway toward commercialization, whether through a startup or licensing to an established company. As part of this review, our team works closely with inventors and creators to understand the technology, identify opportunities, and compose the strategy. Every step is designed to keep momentum steady and prime your idea for licensing conversations, startup development, and industry engagement.
Innovations developed with federal funding may be subject to the Bayh-Dole Act, which gives universities the opportunity and the responsibility to pursue commercialization on behalf of the public. You can read more about these obligations here. To ensure we can protect your innovation and meet our obligations to federal and other sponsors, we ask that you disclose inventions at least 90 days before a planned publication or public presentation. Early disclosure gives us the best chance to support your work and develop commercialization plans with a strong IP and licensing strategy.
Disclose your invention.
Invention and copyright disclosures can be filed easily and quickly using Inteum’s secure online inventor portal. You are able to log on to Inteum’s inventor portal with your USC NetID and password.
What If I’m Not Sure I Need to File an Invention or Copyright Disclosure?
If you are not sure whether your invention or copyrightable work should be disclosed, please submit an Inventor Pre-Disclosure Contact Request, and a member of the Technology Commercialization team will contact you.
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Submit an Invention Disclosure
USC researchers will be able to disclose their inventions to the Stevens Center using Inteum’s secure online inventor portal, which is accessed using your USC NetID and password. An invention or copyright disclosure typically takes about 30 minutes to complete in Inteum. The basic information needed includes:
- A list of inventors or creators and their contact information
- Funding source(s), including the grant numbers
- Abstract/description of the invention’s novel features
- Supporting documentation such as data or manuscripts
- Any known markets or applications
We have assembled guides to walk you through each step of the disclosure process in Inteum’s inventor portal:
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Assignment to Licensing Manager
Once your disclosure has been submitted, it is assigned to a Licensing Manager who will review your disclosure and contact you to set up a time to review and finalize the information in the submitted disclosure.
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Meeting to Review Disclosure
The assigned licensing manager meets with you to gather any remaining information needed based on the submitted disclosure and to gain a deeper understanding of the invention and any supporting data or publications. The Stevens Center evaluates the disclosure materials to determine whether a patent application is appropriate. This includes assessing patentability and strength of IP, identifying comparable technologies and competitive advantages, and reviewing market needs and commercialization potential. The process is interactive and collaborative so that decisions are well informed and aligned with researcher goals.
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Finalization of the Submitted Disclosure
After the licensing manager confirms all necessary details are included in the disclosure, a Royalty Distribution, Assignment, and Cooperation Agreement (RDACA) is sent to USC inventors to be signed. When all signatures are received, the disclosure status changes to accepted. If patent protection is recommended, a patent attorney is engaged to begin drafting a provisional application.
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Licensing Process
After a plan for IP protection has been determined, the IP licensing process begins.
See the Learn About the IP Licensing Process page for more information.