How to work with UTAS

Business Development and Technology Transfer is responsible for ensuring that the University’s IP rights are managed appropriately and seeks to maximise the impact of research.

The University of Tasmania’s IP Principles are as follows:

• Our primary purpose in generating and transferring knowledge is to achieve impact
• We will strive to choose the best pathway to impact, which may include dissemination, exclusive or non-exclusive licensing, assignment or reciprocal agreements
• We seek to ensure dealings and agreements with our partners appropriately preserve, protect and manage IP
• We seek to establish IP ownership arrangements that enable future commercialisation without undue obstacles
• We seek to maintain the ability to use IP for future research and teaching purposes
• We will seek to ensure that our student’s retains the copyright in their thesis
• We will seek to balance the researcher’s need to publish with commercial considerations
• We will seek to retain moral rights on behalf of our staff and students
• Where the IP is expected to generate commercial returns, UTAS expects a fair and reasonable share in net proceeds. Any income received will be dealt with as per our IP Ordinance (PDF 41.0 KB).
• When structuring IP arrangements, UTAS will offer partners the ability to exploit in fields and jurisdictions where they have demonstrated ability and capacity, but no further
• We will endeavour to ensure that IP is made available for humanitarian uses and public good

We respect and acknowledge the traditional knowledge and cultural expressions of indigenous peoples, and will seek to ensure fair and reasonable distribution of benefit to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities (where appropriate)

UTAS researchers can be engaged and supported in a number of ways, including:

• Consultancy: UTAS researchers can provide professional skills and knowledge for your industry or business
• Contract Research: UTAS researchers can carry out specific research for your industry of business
• Collaborative Research: Pool your knowledge and expertise with UTAS researchers and work collaboratively to achieve a common goal
• High Degree Research Sponsorship: Support a higher degree (PhD or masters) student in a research area aligned with your industry
• Donate to Research: Make a difference by becoming a benefactor who supports research

1. Preliminary conversation with UTAS
2. Non-disclosure agreement to discuss opportunity in detail.
3. Meeting to discuss purpose and scope of activities
4. Proposal developed
5. Funding opportunities explored
6. Funding approved
7. Contract provided and negotiated
8. Contract finalised and funding transferred
9. Work commences