Conflict of Interest Situations with Possible Management Plans
Reassignment Agreements
The University may consider reassigning its ownership of an intellectual property to an inventor(s) who elects to market, protect, and license it on their own with minimal University involvement. Upon reassignment, the inventor(s) are responsible for payment of prior patent costs and all further development, patenting and marketing expenses. Additional University resources cannot be used to further the development of the invention.
When reviewing requests for reassignment of an invention, the conflict of interest committee will take into consideration the following points:
- Why is the intellectual property being reassigned and what prompted it?
- Do all the inventors agree and their department chairs support the reassignment of the invention?
- Confirmation that there is no further use or plans to further develop the intellectual property within the University.
Reassignment agreements require disclosure to and approval by the Regents under the State of Michigan Conflict of Interest Statute.