Who is the ipal GmbH?

The ipal GmbH is a profit-oriented GmbH (PLC). Shares in ipal are held by the three Berlin universities and two technically oriented universities of applied science as well as the Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB).

How does the ipal GmbH assess inventions?    

The project manager and managing director have a natural science or technical education with research as well as job experience in industry and innovation consulting. Assessing the invention is a deliberation process between the development risks which can be expected and the revenue or profits.     

Which competencies does the ipal GmbH have when it comes to commercial exploitation?

The know-how with regard to patent and licensing laws is being continually broadened and the network of personal contacts is also being continually enlarged.    

How does the ipal GmbH pre-finance the commercial patent exploitation? 

The ipal GmbH is able to pre-finance the costs for the commercial patent exploitation through funding coming from the BMBF and by a long-term loan of the IBB. The ipal GmbH does not receive any basic funding from either the universities or the state of Berlin’s local budget.        

What are the services provided by the ipal GmbH? 

The ipal GmbH has an all-in-one package solution available for commercial patent exploitation: An ipal project manager accompanies your invention through the whole process of assessment, patent coordination, commercial exploitation agreement as well as monitoring the commercial exploitation contracts.    

How do I get information about what is happening with my invention?

The ipal GmbH and your invention adviser will keep you informed about the patenting and commercial exploitation progress for the entire process. Transparency is a matter of course for the ipal GmbH.

What are my advantages when it comes to commercial patent exploitation?

Inventors from universities receive 30% of the gross revenue that comes about due to commercial university patent exploitation. In addition, a portion of the university revenues can also be allocated to the working group of the inventor(s) as external funding. Non-university, independent research institutes can decide on the remuneration level that will be paid to its inventors themselves. Another positive effect: You can also add to your list of publications by including these patent documents therein.   

What are my costs with regard to a patent?

The patent costs are covered by the university or the research institute and the ipal GmbH. You are not burdened with any costs.

How time-consuming is the commercial patent exploitation?  

Your first step is quickly undertaken: Just register your invention with the help of the prepared form together with a rough description from already compiled abstracts or manuscripts. The rest we will discuss with you afterwards. For the patent registration we only need experimental data from you in the form of protocols and manuscripts. The rest is done by commissioned patent lawyers. Your contribution to the commercial exploitation process will be coordinated between you and the ipal GmbH.   

Does my profit-sharing end when I leave the university?

You are involved in all commercial exploitation revenues, independent of the fact if you change your employer or go into retirement.     

Do patents hinder the acquisition of external industry funding?   

No, quite the contrary: Patents are a central indicator for many companies for the analysis of R&D activities and therefore an aid for selecting scientific and academic partners.     

Do patents hamper the direct collaboration with industry?

No, on the contrary! Your research institute and the ipal GmbH support the acquisition of external funds through consulting services. The ipal GmbH specifically informs you about how you can profit from your inventions that come about during such external funding projects.   

Who supports the drafting of cooperation contracts?

The ipal GmbH provides you and your research institute with support when it comes to the drafting of cooperation contracts with companies. If you have a query, please contact your invention adviser who can line up a consultation with the ipal GmbH.     

Can I acquire external funding projects from the commercial patent exploitation?

Often the commercial exploitation partner would like to further develop your invention together with your support. Then a cooperation contract comes into being with regard to the joint further development and through this the commercial exploitation partner remunerates your services.    

When does a research outcome become an invention? 

If you think that your research outcomes could qualify as a commercial product, then talk to your invention adviser or contact the ipal GmbH.  

Does a patent registration prevent me from publicising?  

No! The patenting process is adapted to your publication plans. The ipal GmbH ensures that a patent registration is submitted as quickly as possible so that your publication plans are not impeded or hampered.    

When am I allowed to publicise?  

You can publicise the invention as soon as the patent registration has been submitted to the patent office.     

What do I have to keep confidential before the patent registration?     

Both the idea of your invention as well as all of the data that pertains to concrete realisation forms of your invention.   

What time and effort do I have to put in for the patenting process?    

You give us your protocols or manuscripts and we’ll do the rest with the help of external patent lawyers. Your final corrections optimise the patent document before it is submitted.    

Do I have enough influence on the patenting process?   

You will be informed of the patenting process on a continuous basis and will receive copies of the patent documents as well as research work taking place. If the ipal GmbH and your research institute do not intend to get patent protection for certain countries, you will be informed about this right away.    

What is the use for me of patent research?  

You will avoid expensive double developments as you will be informed about the state of technology much more comprehensively. In addition to this you will receive new motivation for your own research work.    

Does patent research also make sense within basic research?    

Yes! Even in basic research inventions originate. From the examples given of patent specifications you can gain useful information.   

How can I get a good and efficient overview of patent documents?   

At the start you will find a summary. At the end of every patent document, the claims are listed that define the invention. Only if these passages give you references to your questions should you read the examples and the more detailed description.   

How time-consuming and complex is patent research?  

Patent databases are often much better structured than literature databases are. As soon as you’ve gotten to know the system, you can do your research at a much quicker pace than you thought.   

What are IPC and EC classifications?   

IPC: International Patent Classification; EC: European Classification. The classifications determine specific technical attributes of inventions. Patent examiners order the patent documents to the classifications whose technical attributes best describe each single invention.     

Does the commercial patent exploitation hinder me when setting up a spin-off? 

On the contrary: If you want to set up a company, you have to bring in your intellectual property on a protected basis. Your research institute and the ipal GmbH will support you in this setting-up phase.    

What influence do I have on the commercial patent exploitation process?    

The more you participate in the process, the better the ipal GmbH can represent your interests. The ipal GmbH takes your wishes into consideration when determining what the commercial exploitation strategy will be.  

Can the commercial exploitation partner »shelve« my invention?

No! In the commercial exploitation contracts fulfilment obligations are stipulated for the partner that safeguard the actual further development and marketing of the invention.    

Can I still use the invention myself? 

Yes! The ipal GmbH pays attention that within the commercial exploitation contracts the inventors and their research institutes have the right to keep on using the invention for research purposes and within teaching.      

Who does the invention belong to after the conclusion of a commercial exploitation contract? 

That depends on the commercial exploitation strategy – patent sale or licensing. In the first case all of the rights are transferred to the partner. With a licensing agreement the research institute remains the proprietor of the IP rights. The commercial exploitation partner then only receives usage rights.   

What is an option contract?  

An option contract gives a company the rights to check the invention offered by ipal in a specified period of time and, if applicable, to conclude a licensing agreement with ipal. In return for this checking period the company as a rule pays ipal a set fee. As inventor you will receive a share of this.    

Do I have to find partners in industry or worry about the administration?

ipal looks for commercial exploitation partners independently when it comes to your invention and also manages the contract negotiations. However, you are indispensable as know-how transfer and can competently back up discussions on technical details. Your participation in contract negotiations is necessary when the technical aspects of the invention as well as the product development plans are being discussed.   

When does the partner search begin? 

As a rule, ipal starts acquiring commercial exploitation partners as soon as a patent registration has been submitted for your invention. Commercial exploitation contracts can already be concluded before the patent for your invention has been issued.    

Where and how are the commercial exploitation partners located? 

As a broker for innovations and patents, ipal knows the development and product strategies of numerous companies quite well. Therefore we approach companies that could realise your invention in a targeted and strategically direct manner. We are looking for commercial exploitation partners on an international level.   

Can companies block the further development of my invention?

No, as the licensing agreement has clear obligations stipulated for both contract parties.   

Who ensures that the invention will really be commercially exploited?  

ipal makes sure that the licensing agreements are kept to and that the companies fulfil the agreed to requirements and obligations.    

How long does the commercial exploitation last? 

A commercial exploitation contract usually lasts for the entire period of the patent IP rights with regard to the licensed invention (that means up to 20 years).     

Who pays out my share of the profits?   

Your research institute pays out your share of the profits within the frame of your salary payments. From the ipal GmbH you will personally receive a written financial statement about your share of the profits.  

What happens when the partner terminates the contract?

The ipal GmbH will consult with the inventors if the invention should instead be offered to other companies.