Tell us about your invention
Every invention is originally a creative achievement by an individual or a group of people to solve or improve an existing technical problem. An invention can be, for example, a new device (apparatus), a new substance (product), a new process or a new use that meets the legal criteria of novelty, inventive step and industrial applicability. At KIT, we take care of receiving and processing your invention disclosure.
Results published prior to a patent application, such as papers, reports, video or conference contributions, are no longer new within the meaning of the patent laws. They can considerably restrict the patentability of an invention disclosure or even prevent it from being granted altogether. Therefore, no information about your invention may be disclosed to third parties until the patent application has been officially filed with the patent office.
Whenever you contact the patent team (Intellectual Property Management) by e-mail, please always send a copy to the Patent Administration mailbox (CC): patente@irm.kit.edu. Please also include the internal KIT file number you have received. This will help to ensure that your messages can be processed promptly.
Reporting an invention in three steps
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Invention, or not?Contact the relevant patent unit as early as possible to clarify the patentability criteria for your technical development. The patent professional responsible for you will familiarize himself/herself with your invention and guide you through the next steps. |
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Describe the inventionFill out the documents for the invention disclosure. The form asks for all relevant information to fully describe the invention. The invention should be described in sufficient detail on submission to enable a patent application to be drawn up. If you have any questions about the notification form, please get in touch with your contact person in the Patent Unit at IPM. |
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Submit the invention disclosureSend the completed invention disclosure form, signed by all inventors, and the accompanying data protection declaration by internal mail to your responsible patent officer at IPM. By submitting this invention disclosure, you fulfill your legal obligation to notify. You will receive a confirmation of receipt from IPM stating the internal KIT file number. |
Job-related invention vs. free invention
According to the German Employee Inventions Act (ArbnErfG), inventions that arise from your work at KIT or are largely based on your experience in the employment relationship are job-related inventions. These have to be reported to KIT. Four months after receipt of the invention disclosure by the IP management of KIT, the rights are transferred to KIT without further explanation, unless an explicit release has taken place.
All inventions that are not related to your work or experience at KIT are to be classified as free inventions. However, according to §18 ArbnErfG, these inventions are still obliged to notify to KIT so that KIT can assess whether the invention is free. Free inventions are not claimed by KIT and are not supervised by KIT in the process of securing protection.
Invention disclosure filed: What now?
The invention disclosure submitted to the KIT patent team is the first step in initiating the process for a possible patent application. Upon receipt, the invention disclosure is checked by us for completeness and patentability. This examination is carried out within the statutory deadlines and regulations (ArbnErfG). If there is a prospect of patentability and exploitation potential, KIT will decide whether to file a patent application (claim) in the name and at the expense of KIT or to release the invention to the inventor or the community of inventors.
Comprehensive information on technology transfer at KIT, on the handling of intellectual property and inventions as well as on inventor compensation can be found in the "Guidelines on Technology Transfer at KIT".
