Intellectual Property and Open Innovation
We place great emphasis on open innovation, in what might be defined as our more traditional commercialisation activities, as part of the spectrum of research and knowledge exchange. The establishment of strategic research centres provides a sound basis for developing a strategic approach to the commercial exploitation of our research and knowledge exchange portfolio. Across QMU there are a range of outputs and plenty of know-how created via research and other academic activity. Our commitment to open innovation is primarily focused on “Easy” Intellectual Property (IP) but some of our work may have commercial potential for new products or services and we welcome enquiries from stakeholders interested in working in partnership to explore commercial opportunities.
QMU actively promotes the utilisation of IP to achieve wider social and economic benefits and maximise the impact of its research. We encourage and support researchers to identify commercial opportunities arising from their research and then work with them to evaluate and develop these opportunities to commercially viable outcomes.
QMU Intellectual Property (IP) Policy
QMU has introduced a new IP Policy based on the principle of "Easy IP". The aim of Easy IP is to maximise collaborative partnerships and ultimately, the transfer of university knowledge for public benefit. Aligning much more closely with our institutional vision and commitment to impact and translational research, this provides a new IP exploitation framework to maximise user engagement with our research.
A refreshed approach will support QMU in increasing partnerships with external stakeholders, collaborative research, insights into research problems and early product development. However, this new policy does not replace traditional routes for exploitation of high value opportunities or externally funded research.
Please find a copy of our Intellectual Property (IP) Policy
Contacts:
Externally funded research and grants/contracts
Research Grants and Contract Unit: rgcu@qmu.ac.uk
Ideas creation and company formation
Research and Knowledge Exchange Development Unit: rkedu@qmu.ac.uk
Student IP and Teaching
Cara Dickson, Legal Advisor: CDickson1@qmu.ac.uk
Commercial Opportunities
QMU is capitalising on its key areas of research strength with the development of new technologies, enabling companies and investors find the best new technologies to help grow their own businesses.
QMU Spin Out and Community Interest Companies
Articulate Instruments
QMU Innovation Park
QMU’s proposals for the QMU Innovation Park (QMUIP) will support economic development both locally and nationally. It will provide a creative space where productive relationships between businesses, the university sector and the wider community can flourish and where entrepreneurial thinking and action can be nurtured on a local and national basis.
