The University encourages its Researchers to identify research results with potential commercialisation value and which may enhance the reputation of the University through bringing them to public use and benefit.

The person or unit designated by the University is responsible for the protection and commercialisation of the University’s Intellectual Property. The Inventor(s), however, shall be consulted in each phase of the procedure.

Researchers/Inventors/Innovators/Creators, whose work is covered by an IP agreement, shall be required to present in writing the draft publications containing scientific results to the person or Unit designated by the University before publishing them, and shall state in writing that, to the best of their knowledge such works do not contain any results for which protection may be obtained or which can be exploited in any way.

Researchers/Inventors/Innovators/Creators are obliged to disclose all Intellectual Property falling within the scope of Section 6 to the person or Unit designated by the University. In this context, the Inventor(s) must immediately register the intellectual property at the appropriate Intellectual Property offices in and outside Ghana in conjunction with the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Consultancy (DRIC). DRIC will be the lead consultant in taking appropriate steps and measures to ensure the registration and the acquisition of the patent for the Researchers/Inventors/Innovators/Creators.

Copyrighted Works shall be excluded from the disclosing obligation set out in Paragraph 8.3., except for those which were developed in the performance of a sponsored research or other third party agreement.

Since protection and successful commercialisation of every invention, innovation or creativity will depend on its prompt registration as Intellectual Property Right at the appropriate Intellectual Property Rights office(s), Researchers/Inventors/Innovators/Creators are required to disclose all potentially exploitable Intellectual Property Rights as soon as they become aware of them. The disclosure must be made in writing by completing the Intellectual Property Disclosure Form available from the person or unit designated by the University.

Researchers/Inventors/Innovators/Creators shall fully disclose all research activities and results relevant to the potential Intellectual Property Rights and provide information about themselves, in particular, the percentage of their contribution to the invention or creation which has potential Intellectual Property Rights and the circumstances under which it was created. The detailed description of the invention shall be presented in such a manner that the inventive activity involved and its novelty as well as its susceptibility of industrial application become explicit and clear-cut for a person skilled in the art.

In case of incomplete disclosure, the form may be sent back to the Inventor(s) requesting for additional information. The date of disclosure shall be the day on which the person or unit designated by the University receives the full disclosure signed by all Inventors.

If an Inventor is in any doubt whether an innovation or creation falls within the scope of Section 6 or it is potentially commercially exploitable, as innovation or creation then the Inventor should submit a disclosure to the person or unit designated by the University for consideration prior to making public disclosure of the Intellectual Property.

Premature disclosure may compromise the registration, the protection and commercialisation of innovation or creation. To avoid any loss of potential Intellectual Property Rights and their benefits, Researchers/Inventors/Innovators/Creators are required to make reasonable efforts to identify Intellectual Property early in the development process and consider the consequent impacts of any public disclosure.

After full disclosure of all relevant information, the person or unit designated by the University shall record all creations and innovations which are potential Intellectual Property Rights in its register. When such innovations and creations are finally registered as Intellectual Property Rights, the same designated unit by the University shall record them in a register of Intellectual Property Rights.

The person or unit designated by the University shall determine whether any agreements provide for the sharing of IP Rights or other obligations override those set out in this Policy. Provisions of related Research Agreements may require the assignment of certain IP rights in full or in part. In case of assignment, the procedure for protection and commercialisation shall be governed by a separate agreement concluded between the University and other concerned parties. In all other cases, the procedure set out in this Policy shall apply.

The person or unit designated by the University shall notify the relevant Head of Department, within thirty 30 days, about all disclosures. The notification involves a short abstract of the potential Intellectual Property Rights and the name of the Inventor(s).

After the date of disclosure, the person or unit designated by the University shall immediately commence the evaluation of the innovation and creation regarding its potential registration as Intellectual Property Rights in conjunction with an Intellectual Property expert or an Intellectual Property office. Based on the results of the pre-evaluation, a recommendation on whether to register the innovation and creation as Intellectual Property Rights shall be forwarded to the person or Unit taking the final decision on behalf of the University. Such a recommendation shall be forwarded within 14 days from the date of disclosure.

The final decision shall be taken within 21 days from the date of disclosure.

The Inventor(s) shall be informed of the decision within 30 days from the date of decision in writing. If the University decides not to register the innovations and creations as Intellectual Property Rights and to exploit and commercialise them, then the provisions of Paragraph 6.6 shall apply.

The person or unit shall carry out a complete evaluation of every registered Intellectual Property Rights designated by the University shall carry out a complete evaluation of the Intellectual Property with particular attention on possible methods of the protection of the Intellectual Property and its business opportunities.

The Inventor(s) shall closely cooperate with the person or unit designated by the University, the patent attorney or any other Intellectual Property experts involved or engaged by the University. Inventor(s) are required to give reasonable assistance in protecting and commercially exploiting the Intellectual Property by providing information, attending meetings and advising on further development.

The person or Unit designated by the University shall, within reasonable time not exceeding 30 days, commence the process for acquiring legal protection, if needed, and shall proceed with all due diligence to obtain protection. Public disclosure of research results made before obtaining the right of priority concerning a specific Intellectual Property application, highly jeopardise the proper protection of the related IP Rights. Therefore, Inventor(s) are requested to avoid any public disclosure of research results prior to filing such applications. The University shall endeavour to avoid undue delays in publications.

The person or Unit designated by the University and the Inventor(s) shall jointly determine an appropriate commercialisation strategy as part of the evaluation process within one month from the date of University’s decision. The strategy will outline the tasks of each concerned party in the commercialisation process and establish deadlines for the specific actions.

The person or Unit designated by the University shall be responsible to carry out the commercialisation plan and it shall submit specific proposals, such as draft agreements or business plans, to the person or Unit appointed by the University for decision.

Commercial decisions, such as the ones concerning the terms of an assignment/licensing agreement or establishment of a spin-off enterprise, shall be taken on a case-by-case basis by the person or Unit designated by the University, giving due consideration to all circumstances.

The University may decide not to apply for the registration of innovations and creations as Intellectual Property Rights or it may withdraw a pending application, if it is more appropriate for the purposes of commercialisation to treat the potential and relevant Intellectual Property Rights as confidential know how, secret etc.

If the University decides to discontinue an application, to withdraw it, or not to maintain a granted or registered right, the provisions of Paragraph 6.6 shall apply. Such decisions shall be taken by the person or Unit designated by the University.

Intellectual Property that do not fall within the scope of Section 6 may also be disclosed to the University by Researchers/Inventors/Innovators/Creators under the terms of this Policy. In such cases, the University shall decide, within 30 days from the full disclosure of all relevant information, whether to exploit the Intellectual Property. If the University decides to undertake the protection and commercialisation of the Intellectual Property, the rules set out in this Policy shall apply.

Expenses incurred in connection with the protection and commercialisation of Intellectual Property shall be borne by the University.

During the evaluation and commercialisation period, the full description of the Intellectual Property shall be disclosed to third parties under a confidentiality agreement.