Congratulations on Your Discovery!

Now, it’s time to take the first steps in transforming your idea into a protected and commercially viable asset.

Before sharing your discovery through publications, conferences, or other channels, submit an Invention Disclosure using the online portal. This ensures your innovation is evaluated for its commercial potential and safeguarded through patents, copyrights, or other intellectual property protections before being shared with the public.

An Invention Disclosure is an internal Pitt document only and does not provide intellectual property protection by itself. It is simply the first step toward seeking intellectual property rights protection. Discover more about intellectual property and the commercialization process.

Ready to Submit an Invention Disclosure?

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How-To: Submit an Invention Disclosure

Submitting an invention disclosure is the first step in pursuing protection for your intellectual property. By following the submission guidelines, you ensure that your innovation is properly documented and evaluated by a licensing manager, paving the way for potential commercial success and legal protection.

Learn More
  • Login to the online portal with your Pitt Passport credentials.
  • Identify and include the names of all Innovators (Pitt and Non-Pitt). Be sure to include yourself if you are an Innovator.
    • When adding innovators, please search for innovators before adding new records. It is easiest to search using Last Name, First Name (e.g. Smith, John). If you search by Pitt email, use the individual’s Outlook Pitt email address and not an alias.
    • If your invention disclosure includes a Pitt/UPMC or Pitt/VA dually employed individual, search for and select their Pitt information.
    • If your invention disclosure includes a Pitt undergraduate student as an innovator, search the Pitt email address before entering a new record. If a new record is required, use the student’s Pitt email address in the contact information.
    • For non-Pitt co-inventors, search their names (Last Name, First Name) before entering new records to avoid duplication of records. Non-Pitt innovators who have been previously entered into the system will appear in the search
  • Submit your Invention Disclosure and execute the DocuSign Acknowledgement and Assignment Agreement provided by the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

What to Include: Invention Disclosure Must-Haves

Submitting detailed information in the Invention Disclosure is crucial for accurately documenting and evaluating your innovation. This ensures that all relevant aspects of your intellectual property are considered, enabling the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship to assess its commercial potential, determine the best protection strategy, and comply with relevant federal regulations.

Learn More
  • Innovator Details: Names, contact information, and affiliations of all named innovators, including any joint appointments. The system includes a search feature for Pitt co-innovators and non-Pitt individuals previously entered.
  • Intellectual Property Description: A detailed description of the intellectual property, including labeled sketches/diagrams of devices, compounds, or processes. You can upload these as supplemental information. Also, include the envisioned commercial product or process.
  • Relevant Public Information: List the most relevant public information (posters, publications, patents) closely related to the intellectual property.
  • Past or Upcoming Public Disclosures of Your Innovation.This includes publications, poster presentations, talks, published grant abstracts, or other channels available to individuals outside of the University of Pittsburgh.
  • Funding Details: Provide details of the funding (agency/company, contract/grant number) used to develop the intellectual property. Funding sources include federal, state, foundation, industry sponsored research as well as University funding. Please include the grant or award numbers for each source.
  • Related Agreements: Include copies of any agreements related to this invention such as Material Transfer Agreement (MTA), Data Use Agreement (DUA), Confidentiality Agreement (CDA/NDA), License Agreement, End User Agreement, Limited Use License, etc.

Almost Done: Sign your Invention Disclosure

After submitting your innovation information via the online Invention Disclosure system, a PDF of the completed Invention Disclosure form will be generated along with an Acknowledgement and Assignment Agreement. This form will be sent to each innovator listed on the invention disclosure via DocuSign for signature. Signatures from all innovators are required before a decision to protect the intellectual property can be made.

What's Next: OIE Invention Disclosure Review

Upon submission, your invention disclosure will be reviewed by a licensing manager in the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship to assess its commercial merits and the University's ability to protect the intellectual property. If deemed protectable and commercially viable, our office will collaborate with you to protect your intellectual property through patents, copyrights, or research tool designations, as appropriate for your technology.

How-To: Submit an Invention Disclosure

Submitting an invention disclosure is the first step in pursuing protection for your intellectual property. By following the submission guidelines, you ensure that your innovation is properly documented and evaluated by a licensing manager, paving the way for potential commercial success and legal protection.

Learn More
  • Login to the online portal with your Pitt Passport credentials.
  • Identify and include the names of all Innovators (Pitt and Non-Pitt). Be sure to include yourself if you are an Innovator.
    • When adding innovators, please search for innovators before adding new records. It is easiest to search using Last Name, First Name (e.g. Smith, John). If you search by Pitt email, use the individual’s Outlook Pitt email address and not an alias.
    • If your invention disclosure includes a Pitt/UPMC or Pitt/VA dually employed individual, search for and select their Pitt information.
    • If your invention disclosure includes a Pitt undergraduate student as an innovator, search the Pitt email address before entering a new record. If a new record is required, use the student’s Pitt email address in the contact information.
    • For non-Pitt co-inventors, search their names (Last Name, First Name) before entering new records to avoid duplication of records. Non-Pitt innovators who have been previously entered into the system will appear in the search
  • Submit your Invention Disclosure and execute the DocuSign Acknowledgement and Assignment Agreement provided by the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

What to Include: Invention Disclosure Must-Haves

Submitting detailed information in the Invention Disclosure is crucial for accurately documenting and evaluating your innovation. This ensures that all relevant aspects of your intellectual property are considered, enabling the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship to assess its commercial potential, determine the best protection strategy, and comply with relevant federal regulations.

Learn More
  • Innovator Details: Names, contact information, and affiliations of all named innovators, including any joint appointments. The system includes a search feature for Pitt co-innovators and non-Pitt individuals previously entered.
  • Intellectual Property Description: A detailed description of the intellectual property, including labeled sketches/diagrams of devices, compounds, or processes. You can upload these as supplemental information. Also, include the envisioned commercial product or process.
  • Relevant Public Information: List the most relevant public information (posters, publications, patents) closely related to the intellectual property.
  • Past or Upcoming Public Disclosures of Your Innovation.This includes publications, poster presentations, talks, published grant abstracts, or other channels available to individuals outside of the University of Pittsburgh.
  • Funding Details: Provide details of the funding (agency/company, contract/grant number) used to develop the intellectual property. Funding sources include federal, state, foundation, industry sponsored research as well as University funding. Please include the grant or award numbers for each source.
  • Related Agreements: Include copies of any agreements related to this invention such as Material Transfer Agreement (MTA), Data Use Agreement (DUA), Confidentiality Agreement (CDA/NDA), License Agreement, End User Agreement, Limited Use License, etc.

Almost Done: Sign your Invention Disclosure

After submitting your innovation information via the online Invention Disclosure system, a PDF of the completed Invention Disclosure form will be generated along with an Acknowledgement and Assignment Agreement. This form will be sent to each innovator listed on the invention disclosure via DocuSign for signature. Signatures from all innovators are required before a decision to protect the intellectual property can be made.

What's Next: OIE Invention Disclosure Review

Upon submission, your invention disclosure will be reviewed by a licensing manager in the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship to assess its commercial merits and the University's ability to protect the intellectual property. If deemed protectable and commercially viable, our office will collaborate with you to protect your intellectual property through patents, copyrights, or research tool designations, as appropriate for your technology.

Questions About The Invention Disclosure Submission Process?

Contact the Innovation Institute
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