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Guidance for Policy 1.5 Inventions and Related Property Rights

University Policy 1.5 explains the principles and procedures by which inventions are disclosed to the University, how ownership of inventions is determined, how inventions are protected (by patenting or other means) and commercialized, and how invention revenue is distributed. The complete text of Policy 1.5 Inventions and Related Property Rights can be reviewed at: www.policy.cornell.edu/vol1_5.cfm.

In a research university setting, new discoveries, ideas, and creations most often arise from the research and scholarly activities of our faculty and students. But we are an immensely creative community and the fact is, inventions can and do arise just about anywhere at Cornell. For that reason it is important to note that everyone with an appointment at Cornell, not just faculty and scholars, is subject to the terms of this policy.

Inventions and Related Property Rights Acknowledgement Form

An important provision of Policy 1.5 requires individuals in academic positions and graduate students appointed on research assistantships, graduate research assistantships, fellowships, and training grants to acknowledge that they are subject to the terms of this policy at the time of appointment. Two versions of the “Inventions and Related Property Rights Acknowledgement” (Acknowledgement form) are available.

• Download the form for Weill Cornell Medical College
• Download the form for all other department/units of Cornell

Policy 1.5 supersedes memos issued by the Provost in 1984 and by the Vice President for Research in 1984 and 1993 exempting certain position classifications and departments from having to sign the former Patent Agreement. Henceforth, there are no exemptions from completion of the new Acknowledgement form, whether by position title or department. Modifications to the form are not permitted.

Persons Required to Sign Acknowledgement Form

All persons holding an academic title, whether paid or unpaid, full or part time, continuing or limited term, are required to sign the Acknowledgement form. This includes academic titles with modifiers such as visiting, adjunct, and courtesy. It also includes clinical and affiliation titles such as those commonly used at Weill Medical College. Postdoctoral associates and postdoctoral fellows are considered academic titles. Additionally, graduate students appointed on research assistantships, graduate research assistantships, fellowships, and training grants, must also complete this form.

• Guidance regarding academic position titles is available from the Academic Personnel Policy Office (contact Michael Esposito at mve1@cornell.edu).
• Guidance regarding graduate student titles is available from the Graduate School (contact Sarah Hale at ssh2@cornell.edu.

Policy 1.5 states the Acknowledgement form must also be completed by “certain nonacademic positions as may be designated by the Vice Provost for Research.” At this time no nonacademic position titles are subject to this requirement.

Forms Submission

For academic appointments at Weill Cornell Medical College, the form must be completed and submitted to the Office of Faculty Affairs. For all other units of the University, the form must be completed and submitted by the hiring department to HRIS Records Administration along with other appointment documentation (except for graduate student appointments as noted below). Hiring departments should be aware that Records Administration cannot initiate appointments without a completed Acknowledgement form. Records Administration therefore recommends hiring managers send the Acknowledgement form to the new hire along with the offer letter and request that a completed Acknowledgement form accompany the signed acceptance of the position.

• Review the HRIS Records Administration implementation memo for further details.

Graduate students appointed to a research assistantship, graduate research assistantship, fellowship, or training grant are required to sign an Acknowledgement form. Graduate Field Assistants are responsible for sending the completed form to the Office of the Vice Provost for Research, 222 Day Hall, where it will be kept on file. Note: due to the unique timing of some graduate student appointments, Records Administration will process graduate student appointment forms in advance of the receipt of the Acknowledgment form by OVPR.

• Questions concerning appointment processing may be directed to your HRIS Records Administration Representative.
• Questions regarding graduate students may be directed to the Graduate School.
• Questions pertaining to specific appointment titles and/or interpretation of provisions of Policy 1.5 may be directed to the Office of the Vice Provost for Research, vp_research@cornell.edu or 607-255-7200.

Alternate Acknowledgement Form

Individuals may have a principal employer other than Cornell and still receive a Cornell appointment. A typical example is a visiting professor at Cornell who is on sabbatic leave from their home institution. Such individuals should sign the Acknowledgement form. However, if an individual has a pre-existing intellectual property agreement with their employer that conflicts with the terms of Cornell's invention policy, he/she may be eligible to sign an alternative Acknowledgement form.

• Individuals at Weill Cornell Medical College may contact James R. Kahn, Deputy University Counsel, at jkahn@med.cornell.edu or 212-746-0463.
• All others should contact Patricia A. McClary, Associate University Counsel, at pam4@cornell.edu or 607-255-5124.