Patents – University Business Linkage Cell

Patents: Protecting Your Innovation

What is a Patent?

“A patent is an exclusive right granted for an invention, which is a product or a process that provides, in general, a new way of doing something, or offers a new technical solution to a problem.”

– World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

How Patents Protect Inventions from Unauthorized Use

A patent grants exclusive rights to inventors, protecting their innovations and preventing others from making, using, or selling the invention without permission. It’s a key tool in safeguarding intellectual property and enabling commercialization.

Why Are Patents Important?

Protect Your Innovation:

Ensure your invention remains unique.

Facilitate Commercialization:

Strengthen your IP’s value for licensing and partnerships.

Promote Collaboration:

Encourage industry engagement with secure IP.

Key Criteria for Patentability

• Novelty: Your invention must be entirely new and not disclosed anywhere in the world before the filing date.
• Non-Obviousness: It should not be obvious to a person with average skills in the field, and different enough from what already exists.
• Industrial Applicability: It must be practical and usable in industry. It can either be made or used in an industry.

Steps to File Your Patent through the Enterprise

Step 1: Complete Your Invention Disclosure Form (IDF)

• Provide details about your innovation by filling out the Invention Disclosure Form (IDF).
• Ensure your contact details are accurate so we can reach you easily.
• Fill the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) which ensures the protection of your confidential information during discussions.

Step 2: Submit Essential Documents

• Invention Disclosure Form
• Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA): Protects your confidential information during discussions.
Submit the above essential documents to the Enterprise to initiate the process
You can either handover to the Enterprise office or email us on: enterprise@uom.lk

Step 3: Start with a Prior Art Search

• Check existing patents to ensure your idea is unique and patentable.
• Book a Training Session or Search Appointment.

Step 4: Submit Final Documents

For patent filing, ensure the following documents are ready:
• Statement of Inventorship: Consent letter signed by all inventors (Only if the owner is not the inventor).
• Patent Drafting Document: Document: A comprehensive description of your invention. (Link to the patent draft template: Based on National Intellectual Property Guidelines)
• For University-Owned Patents: The Enterprise arranges payments for filing, searches, and written arguments (if needed) through the university.
• For Patents not owned by the University: The Enterprise provides guidance, while the individual, team, or company covers all associated costs.

Step 5: Explore Filing Options

• National Filing: The Enterprise currently handles local patent filing only.
• Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): For international patent applications via PCT, the TTO provides assistance with drafting and document completion. Please Note: Funding for the Filing Process is Currently Unavailable
• The Technology Transfer Office offers support in drafting, submission, and developing effective IP strategies.

Our Support

We assist you with:

Patentability Search

Assess your invention’s novelty.

Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) Search

Ensure no existing patents are infringed.

State-of-the-Art Search

Gain insights into technological trends.

Landscape Search

Analyze patent trends and competitor activity.

Need Help Choosing the Right Search?

Filing a Patent?

Conduct a Patentability Search

Launching a Product?

Conduct an FTO Search or Clearance Search.

Planning R&D?

Start with a State-of-the-Art Search or Landscape Search.

Get in touch with us for assistance: enterprise@uom.lk or Contact Us