Chapter 4: Intellectual Property
The Intellectual Property Policy of The University of Texas at El Paso (“University”) is contained in The University of Texas System Board of Regents (“Board of Regents”) Rules and Regulations, Rule 90101 at https://www.utsystem.edu/board-of-regents/rules/90101-intellectual-property.
It is the objective of this policy to encourage the development of inventions and other intellectual creations for the best interest of the public, the creator, and the research sponsor, if any, and to permit the timely protection and disclosure of such intellectual property whether by development and commercialization after securing available protection for the creation, by publication, or both. The policy is further intended to protect the respective interests of all concerned by ensuring that the benefits of such property accrue to the public, to the inventor, to the University, to The University of Texas System, and to sponsors of specific research (if applicable) in varying degrees of protection, monetary return and recognition, as circumstances justify or require.
This policy applies to all persons employed by the University, and to anyone using the facilities or resources of the University. The Board of Regents automatically owns the intellectual property created by individuals subject to this policy and Regents’ Rule 90101. Accordingly, all individuals subject to this policy must assign and do hereby assign their rights in such intellectual property to the Board of Regents. Moreover, individuals subject to this policy and Regents’ Rule 90101 who create such intellectual property shall promptly execute and deliver all documents and other instruments as are reasonably necessary to reflect the Board of Regents’ ownership of such intellectual property. A creator of intellectual property owned by the Board of Regents has no independent right or authority to convey, assign, encumber, or license such intellectual property to any entity other than the Board of Regents.
In order to avoid potential noncompliance with this policy and Regents’ Rule 90101, University personnel who have developed what they believe to be patentable ideas should timely contact the Office of Technology Commercialization (http://otc.utep.edu/, techtransfer@utep.edu). Individuals with other questions concerning University intellectual property and procedures should also contact the Office of Technology Commercialization.
