TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION, PURPOSE AND SCOPE

1. INTRODUCTION

Intellectual property is a key outcome of research, innovation, consultancy and student projects.

2. PURPOSE

To encourage creation of intellectual property while protecting rights of inventors, students, faculty, sponsors, collaborators and the Institution.

3. SCOPE

All IP created by faculty, staff, students, scholars, interns, incubatees, collaborators and visitors using institutional time, data, resources, facilities, funding or affiliation.

OBJECTIVES

4. OBJECTIVES

• Promote awareness and systematic protection of IP.
• Define ownership and benefit-sharing principles.
• Support patent, copyright, design and trademark filings.
• Avoid premature disclosure that affects novelty.
• Facilitate technology transfer, licensing and startup commercialization.

POLICY FRAMEWORK

5. GUIDING PRINCIPLES

1. Inventorship shall be based on genuine intellectual contribution.
2. Ownership depends on institutional resources, sponsorship and agreements.
3. IP disclosure must precede publication or commercialization.
4. Revenue sharing shall be transparent.
5. Student inventors shall receive due recognition.

6. GENERAL POLICY COMMITMENT

The Institution shall implement this policy through approved roles, adequate resources, documented procedures, transparent communication and measurable review. Decisions and exceptions shall be recorded and authorized by the competent authority.

POLICY PROVISIONS

7.1 IMPLEMENTATION REQUIREMENTS

1. Inventors shall submit an IP disclosure form before public disclosure.
2. The IPR Cell shall assess novelty, utility, ownership and filing feasibility.
3. Institution-owned IP includes work created using substantial institutional resources or sponsored projects unless otherwise agreed.
4. Inventor-owned IP may be recognized where creation is independent.
5. Joint IP shall be governed by written agreement.

POLICY PROVISIONS — CONTINUED

7.2 IMPLEMENTATION REQUIREMENTS

6. Filing costs may be supported by the Institution.
7. Publication may be delayed to protect patentability.
8. Revenue shall be shared after cost recovery as per approved formula.
9. Confidential know-how and source code shall be protected.
10. IP disputes shall be reviewed by a competent committee.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

8. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• IPR Cell manages awareness, disclosure, review and filing.
• R&D Cell and IIC identify patentable outputs.
• Inventors maintain records and disclose honestly.
• HODs encourage IP culture.
• Accounts/Legal support agreements and revenue sharing.
• Students and incubatees comply with confidentiality.

IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURE

9. IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURE

1. Submit disclosure.
2. Conduct novelty and ownership review.
3. Decide filing/publication/secrecy route.
4. Engage professional support if approved.
5. Track prosecution, renewal and licensing.
6. Distribute revenue and archive records.

RECORDS AND COMPLIANCE

10. RECORDS AND EVIDENCE

• IP disclosure forms
• Inventor contribution statements
• Patent/copyright/design/trademark applications
• Search reports
• Licensing agreements
• Revenue records

11. MONITORING INDICATORS

• Disclosures received
• Filings and grants
• Technology transfers
• IP revenue/startup use
• Awareness sessions

12. CONFIDENTIALITY, RETENTION AND ACCESS

Records shall be accurate, retrievable and protected against unauthorized alteration, disclosure or destruction. Access shall be role-based and limited to legitimate institutional need. Retention and disposal shall follow the approved schedule and applicable requirements.

13. NON-COMPLIANCE

Non-compliance may result in corrective action, withdrawal of access or benefit, recovery of loss, disciplinary action, referral to a statutory body or other proportionate action after due process.

REVIEW AND APPROVAL

14. REVIEW AND AMENDMENT

The policy owner shall review this document at the stated cycle or earlier due to changes in law, regulation, institutional structure, technology, risk, audit findings or stakeholder requirements. Amendments shall take effect only after approval by the competent authority.

15. REFERENCES

• AICTE Approval Process Handbook and Faculty Norms, as amended from time to time
• UGC, DOTE TN, Anna University and autonomous academic regulations, as applicable
• Institutional Strategic Plan 2025–2030, IQAC procedures and approved committee minutes
• National Education Policy 2020 and institutional HR/Appraisal policies

16. APPROVAL AND SIGNATURES

This is a controlled institutional document. Printed copies are uncontrolled unless specifically stamped and issued by the authorized office.