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| Marketing the Discovery |
| The marketing process entails determining potential fields of use, identifying companies and preparing and sending out a non-confidential abstract. Because the inventor often times is in contact with companies through his research and professional organizations, the campus technology transfer office (TTO) works closely with the inventor to determine companies who may have the most interest in the technology. Along with our broad base of company information, many resources are available that allow the campus TTO to identify those companies who are doing research in a particular area. Once potential companies are identified, a non-confidential abstract is prepared. This abstract provides enough information about the invention without giving away the confidential aspects or jeopardizing patent rights. Once approved by the inventor, the abstract is sent to the companies targeted as having a potential interest in the technology. If, after reading the abstract, a company wants to review the confidential information, they will be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). An NDA protects the technical information from disclosure to others, can prevent the forfeiture of valuable patent rights, and defines exactly what information can and cannot be disclosed. Each inventor will be notified when an NDA is signed to let them know that they can talk directly with the company about the invention. |
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