Filing a Confidential Invention Disclosure (CID) is mandatory and your first step towards commercialization at the University of Toronto (U of T). This disclosure form asks for a description of the invention, the inventors, and information about funding sources and resources used to create the invention. Disclosing the invention is a requirement before selling, licensing, patenting or otherwise assigning an invention created at U of T. This information also helps the Innovations & Partnerships Office (IPO) determine if a funder, or other party, has prior commercial rights to the invention, whether the invention is patentable, or if it has market potential.
U of T has a modern, flexible ownership Inventions Policy that is ‘Inventor’s Choice’: in absence of pre-existing IP rights, inventors may choose to assume full responsibility for patenting and commercialization, or can offer to assign the invention to U of T. If an invention is offered to U of T, IPO will evaluate it prior to accepting.
If the work that led to the invention was done at another institution (e.g., at a U of T-affiliated hospital), contact the appropriate hospital research office or the other institution’s technology transfer office. Generally, the location of the majority of the work will determine which institutional policy will apply and whether or not an inter-institutional agreement is necessary.
Disclosures should be filed as soon as the invention is clearly conceptualized or as soon as the new product or process can be described in enough detail that someone else familiar with the field could use it.
Patents and other Intellectual Property (IP) rights may be affected by public disclosure of the invention (e.g., through written publication, thesis, presentation, manuscripts, and/or abstracts); IPO encourages inventors to file CIDs as soon as possible and prior to any public disclosure.
- Access the Inventor Portal and complete the online Confidential Invention Disclosure Form. You can refer to the Guide to the U of T Invention Disclosure Form for assistance with filling out this form. Note: The first time you use the Portal, you will need your UTORid credentials and will be prompted to create an account.
- Submit your disclosure directly through the portal. There is no need to email forms or send separate documents.
- Once submitted, your disclosure will be reviewed. If any clarification or additional information is required, you will be contacted directly. When your disclosure is finalized, you will receive a notification to review and electronically sign the form within the portal.
- Once you submit your disclosure through the Inventor Portal, the status will change from Draft to Submitted. Your submission will be reviewed, and you will be contacted if additional details are needed.
- When your disclosure is accepted as complete, the status will change from Submitted to Approved. All inventors will receive a notification to review and electronically sign the form within the portal. After all required signatures are obtained, unless inventors choose to take personal ownership, specialists at IPO will evaluate the patentability and commercial potential of the invention before accepting it into U of T’s portfolio.
- If a research partner or sponsor has an option to license your invention, or if we must notify the sponsor that an invention has been made, IPO will take the necessary action as outlined in the agreement or sponsor guidelines.
- If there are no sponsor or third-party obligations, and the inventors request personal ownership, the University will assign its ownership rights to the inventors. An Assignment Agreement will be provided to the inventors for signing. Please note that with ownership comes many responsibilities. Please inform yourself of these responsibilities prior to requesting ownership by reviewing the Guidelines for Personal Ownership of Inventions.
- If the invention is not accepted by IPO, IPO will provide rationale and, in some cases, suggest additional work to refine the invention for future consideration. If the project is accepted into IPO‘s portfolio, we will work with you during the commercialization process.
- Advise on U of T’s Inventions Policy
- Receive and evaluate Confidential Invention Disclosures for technologies created at U of T
- Support the protection of U of T IP through patenting and other means
- Assist in finding partners and funding to support proof-of-concept and commercialization
- Market U of T Inventions to potential licensees, industry and investors
- Negotiate license agreements
- Support long-term relationships with strategic partners that support help develop early-stage discoveries into market-ready technologies and products
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