VTIP evaluates, protects, and markets inventions created by researchers at Virginia Tech.
View some of the cutting edge technologies being created by researchers at Virginia Tech.

Latest News
C. Intellectual Property: PROTECTION
  • If the decision is to patent, VTIP or the commercialization partner will fund the process. A patent attorney with appropriate technical expertise is selected. If the decision is to copyright, the researcher is advised to put "copyright" notices - (All Rights Reserved, Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, 2008) on all material sent out.   The copyright can be registered if there is commercial interest; skip to D
  • The attorney works with the inventor to develop and draft a complete and thorough patent application. Close inventor/attorney cooperation in this key step is critical in obtaining a valid patent.
  • A patent application is filed.
  • The application may be rejected several times as the attorney negotiates with the examiner. The attorney's goal is a broad, basic patent, rather than a narrowly defined set of claims. The process may take as long as three years. Publication of results after filing an application is encouraged.
  • A patent is issued or the patent application is abandoned.

Learn more by clicking on each of the Four Steps:

Creation | Assessment | Protection | Marketing