The purpose of the Invention Disclosure Form (IDF) is to record an invention so that Invent DCU can assess its patentability and commercial potential. The IDF is a series of questions which aim to extract the necessary information to enable determination of the patentability and commercial potential, it is therefore essential that this form be completed in full, so the review process can proceed in the most time efficient manner possible.

Due to the fact that public disclosures impact the ability to obtain patent protection, inventions should be disclosed to Invent DCU as early as possible prior to submitting or presenting research results for publication.

Prior to completing the Invention Disclosure Form, which describes a new invention arising from your research project(s), it may be helpful to come and discuss your invention with a member of Invent DCU Team:

• Mr. Paddy O’Boyle, Commercialisation Manager (engineering/electronics ICT/optics/other devices)
• Dr. Carolyn Hughes, Commercialisation Manager (NCSR, physical sciences/chemical sciences)
• Dr. Davnat Heenan, Contracts & IP Operations Manager (NCSR, chemical sciences/pharmaceutical)
• Ms. Emma O’Neill, IP Manager, Biomedical Diagnostic Institute (BDI)
• Mr. Steve Gotz, IP Manager, Centre for the Next Generation Localisation (CNGL).
• Dr. Noel Daly, EI Bio Representative on campus (biotechnology/pharmaceutical/medical devices/life sciences)

For researchers in the BDI or CNGL, your first point of contact should be your respective IP Manager outlined above.

Instructions on how to complete an invention disclosure form as well as the blank form itself can be accessed below, in addition please view the scheme for IDF processing.

• Guidelines for Completing the IDF and Submitting Same to Invent DCU
• Invention Disclosure Form

Think before you publish!

The opportunity to seek patent protection can be lost by publication of the research prior to filing a patent application. The following list provide non-exhaustive list of examples of public disclosure, if you are in any doubt, please contact a member of the Invent DCU team for advice.

• Grant Applications which are reviewed by panels not bound by confidentiality
• Journals, as either articles or letters
• Poster displays
• Oral presentations at seminars
• Information posted on notice boards in the internet
• Abstracts (please be particularly wary of advance posting on websites prior to event or full publication)
• Theses in DCU library or any other university library
• E-mails to individuals or groups not bound by a confidentiality agreement/non-disclosure agreement
• Open days
• Exhibitions, prototype testing/demonstrations

Patenting provisions in the United States are different than most other countries; they operate a first to invent system, rather than the first to file system. In addition the United States, as do Canada, have provision for what is referred to as a grace period, which means it may be possible to file a patent application in either the United States or Canada for up to 12 months from date of the first public disclosure.