Patent & publish
As a researcher you are free to publish your results at any time. However, according to “Employer invention” you are obliged to have the commercial potential of the idea evaluated first. It is therefore important that you contact BTO at an early stage, so that we can take protective measures (patent) before publishing.
Patenting and publishing can be coordinated. Patenting your idea before you publish need not cause a significant delay in the publication process. However, it is crucial that everything is done in the right order. The patent application must be filed before publication. If you publish your research result before filing a patent application, you will destroy your chances of obtaining a patent. In the US there is a “first-to-invent” system, which means that an invention may be patented up to one year after it has been made public.
BTO’s aim is to complete the commercialization process without delaying your academic publication.