Invention Disclosures and Patents

The systematic recording and protection of inventions are central components of knowledge and technology transfer at Trier University of Applied Sciences. Reporting inventions at an early stage ensures that innovative ideas and research results are evaluated, protected and prepared for possible commercial exploitation in a structured process. This not only strengthens the protection of the intellectual property of the researchers involved, but also forms the basis for successful collaboration with companies and other cooperation partners.

Guidelines and procedures

In accordance with internal guidelines and the relevant legal provisions, inventions are reported using a standardized form. All inventions made in the course of university research must be reported immediately. This process ensures that:

•  Early recording: Inventions are systematically documented at an early stage of development in order to record all relevant details.
• Examination and evaluation: The reported inventions are examined by specialized bodies. Both the technical feasibility and the economic benefit are taken into account when deciding whether and to what extent patent protection should be sought.
• Industrial property rights: In addition to patents, other industrial property rights, such as utility models or design protection, can also be considered in order to provide comprehensive protection for the inventions.

Importance for research and practice

The consistent registration and protection of inventions makes a significant contribution to ensuring that research results not only lead to scientific publications, but also to practical applications. Registering patents ensures that investments in research can be secured in the long term. At the same time, it opens up a wide range of opportunities for exploitation, for example through licensing or the founding of start-ups. This process supports the transfer of technologies into practice and makes a sustainable contribution to regional and supra-regional innovative strength.

↗ Further information on invention disclosures (registration required).