Instructions
These instructions pertain to the corresponding numbered section on the IDF:
1. Identify a brief title that specifically describes the invention.
2. Attach a detailed description with sketches or drawings if necessary, as well as relevant manuscripts or articles. Also specifically describe how the invention provides an improvement over the prior art and its expected uses and/or commercial applications.
3. Include the names of all those who contributed directly to this development. Attach a list of additional probable inventors if they number more than four. Note if not at Tufts. An inventor is defined as likely to be an inventor if they made a significant intellectual contribution to the conception of the invention. Authorship of a paper does not necessarily mean inventorship. Final determination is made by the patent attorney once the claims have been written. Please note the social security number and the country of citizenship are necessary to distribute the inventor's share of royalty that may result from this invention (see #8).
4. Include all the sponsors and applicable contract/grant numbers if the invention was developed with the use of federal and/or non-federal research grant/contract funds. This includes any funds received by investigators at other institutions involved with the invention.
5. Record the history of the invention by giving legally important dates as requested. If a disclosure is planned in the near future, indicate when it is likely to occur. Public disclosure of the invention affects the potential patent coverage that is possible.
6. If a material and/or proprietary technology received from another institution (corporation or university) was used either to make the invention or is contained in the invention, please list the material and/or technology and its source. Examples of proprietary technology include DNA chip technology.
7. Include all potentially interested parties.
8. Have the inventors sign and date and obtain a witness's signature.
Please click here for a copy of the form.
