Back to...Developing Technology > Discoveries & Inventions

When should I disclose a discovery/invention to the OTD?

You should contact the OTD when you have conceived of a novel invention, before an enabling public disclosure is made.  Examples of public disclosure include poster presentations, thesis presentations, oral presentations, written research papers, grant abstracts, web-page descriptions, e-mail communications, and phone calls with colleagues not employed by your institution.  Once an idea is disclosed publically, international patenting will not be possible, although some limited protection in the US may be possible.  Please consult the OTD prior to making a public disclosure.

An OTD staff member will contact you within 48 hours of receipt of the disclosure to arrange for a meeting to begin Level One of our 3-Level Evaluation Process.