I am gathering information on the subject of University Intellectual
Property rights in industrial sponsored research agreements.  Under what
conditions, if any, do you allow the sponsor to retain the ownership of the
intellectual property developed as a result of sponsored research?

My university Intellectual Property Office has been working closely with my
office to educate and assist in negotiating research agreements which allow
the University to retain ownership of the IP.  Some faculty are concerned
that we are going to loose their research contracts or cost them their
chance for tenure, by insisting on the university ownership of intellectual
property in the research agreements.

My question is, do you ever let the sponsor retain the IP rights?

If so, under what conditions does this occur?

I need to hear from people so I can help present what others are doing in
this area, to the upper administration (this Wednesday).

Your kind help and wisdon is greatly appreciated.
Anita Quinn
Director of Research Services
Michigan Technological University
Houghton, Michigan  49931-1295
906-487-2225
xxxxxx@mtu.edu