Resource:How to advocate for change to the student intellectual property policy

Overview

So here is the problem. You are an undergraduate or graduate student with an amazing idea that you want to secure a patent for, or turn into a startup company. When you go to paten your idea, you find out that your University is going to own more rights to that paten then you want to let go of. Like many students do, you can either allow your University to own that much of your paten, or choose to push the status quo and advocate for change to your Universities policy for Intellectual Property. Bellow you will see an example of the process students have gone through that made an impacting difference on their campus by giving college students more rights to their intellectual property.

Understand the Intellectual Property Policy

Now, you are probably reading this because you already understand somewhat of your Universities policy. You need to be able to articulate to others why this policy is hindering you from becoming the most successful as possible. But be careful, most of these policies are written to be understood by educated lawyers, and not easily by college students. You should not have to take on that entire document allow, that is why you are going to need some help.

Lawyers - It is always safe to have a lawyer review the policy and point out to you which agreements could really harm your motive behind obtaining a patent or startup company.

Students - I promise that you are not alone. There are other students on your campus right now who agree that changes must be made, or would back you up 100% if you explained to them the scenario. Which leads us to recruiting help!

Recruit help

Like I said, you are not alone. You need to build a team of two or more. They will be the ones to motivate you when you are doubting if all this effort is really worth it. But most importantly you are going to need help gathering materials to make a case in advocating for change.

Materials

The purpose of gathering materials is to do your homework when you state your case to those who have the power to change the policy. Here are some examples of what that material research should look like.

List - you need to make a list that points out everything in the policy that you want changed. This list could just be one item, or it could be more than twelve. It is what you want changed.

Comparison - there are plenty of Universities out there that have flexible or strict Intellectual Property policies. Some have worked very well for the students, and some have greatly hindered them. Do your homework by comparing your policy to major Universities as well as local Universities to see what you like about them.

Benefit - you need to be able to summarize all of your finders and explain how changes to the policy are going to benefit the student body and the University as a whole. Have some examples of how other Universities benefit from their policies. This is going to be the most important part when convincing the decision makers of your campus to change the policy.

Here are two articles that tremendously helped other students in building their case:

Examples and synthesis of academic equity-royalty licenses.

Why do some universities generate more start-ups than others?

Find the decision makers

You have made it this far! All of that research and sorting through policies can take many months, but now you are ready to present your work and make change happen. It is very important that you carefully search out who the "decision makers" are on your campus. Faculty, advisors, or managers that have the power to move mountains so your request is seen all the way through.

Intellectual Property Manager - this is the main person who is evidentially going to approve your request for policy change. Get to know who they are earlier on in your progress. Let them know what you are doing and why so that when you are finally ready to present your case for policy change, they will be more than willing to listen.

Advisor/Faculty - It is crucial to be in contact with someone who is willing to listen to you and believes in your cause. Someone who has all the right contacts and information you need when you are at a dead end.

Follow up

Once the Intellectual Property Manger has accepted your request and is taking actions to make the changes become reality, your work is not over yet. Changing policy can take quite a bit of time, so make sure you are actively engaged with what changes they are making to ensure that they fulfill what you are asking for.

Final advice

Congratulations for making it this far! You have made a substantial impact in your University by giving more freedom to students in securing patents to their ideas and startup companies.