Protecting intellectual property is crucial for translating university research into practical applications, ensuring that researchers’ innovative contributions are utilised beyond academia.
One of the primary challenges facing our society is the ongoing need for innovation to remain competitive. USI Transfer, the technology transfer service, assists researchers at Universitą della Svizzera italiana and its affiliated Institutes in developing effective strategies for protecting intellectual property and successfully bringing protected ideas to market. This effort contributes to the dissemination of knowledge and bolsters the competitiveness of Swiss companies in particular.
Patents are essential for safeguarding the outcomes of university research. They provide a temporary monopoly on an invention, preventing third parties from using it and allowing for its commercialisation through licensing, the creation of spin-offs, and attracting investment.
However, obtaining a patent comes with several challenges. One of the most important conditions is novelty; without it, the opportunity to secure a patent is lost.
Any early disclosure of research results-such as through publication, thesis submissions, conferences, posters, etc.--can jeopardise the chances of successfully obtaining a patent. It is essential to understand that publication and patenting can coexist; one just needs to adhere to this straightforward guideline: "Patent first, publish later". Indeed, once a patent application has been filed, publication is possible without any problems.
Take-home message
If your discovery is potentially patentable, premature publication may permanently compromise your ability to protect it.
