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Who should be the applicant and who should be named as inventor?
The applicant and the inventor are not always the same person. Pick the closest situation and see what you need.
Apply jointly and agree the terms first.
High complexity - significant legal consequences
- A joint application is allowed (section 6(2)).
- Granted to two or more persons, each holds an equal undivided share unless an agreement says otherwise, and one co-owner cannot license or assign without the others' consent unless an agreement allows it (section 50).
- Get each institution's assignment from its own inventors, and a written co-ownership agreement covering fees, licensing, enforcement and publication.
- Check whether any reduced fee category applies to a mixed group of applicants; do not assume it does.
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Not sure whether this applies to your invention?
The honest answer usually needs someone to look at your actual disclosure, your timeline and the prior art. That is a conversation, not an article.