University publishes new Intellectual Property (IP) Policy

27 Mar 2025

Policy regularly revised to match IP trends, regulations and changing academic environment – new version effective from 1 April 2025

The University’s IP Policy helps staff and students appreciate IP rights, such as copyrights and patents, and how these apply in various aspects of academic life. 

The policy aims to protect and maximise the value of IP generated through research, teaching and entrepreneurial activities, while fostering innovation, collaboration, and equitable benefit-sharing with creators, the University and external partners. It also explains what should be done when IP arises and how support is provided on campus to deal with such rights. 

The policy is revised periodically to ensure it evolves to match IP trends, regulations and changing circumstances in the academic environment, such as artificial intelligence (AI) developments and increasing student enterprise and research commercialisation activities. 

The University’s policy has recently been revised following contributions from a variety of stakeholders and can be found at: 

UoM Intellectual Property (IP) Policy (1 April 2025)

The new policy will be effective from 1 April 2025, replacing all previous versions. 

This policy also responds to market forces by incorporating a new mixed model of equity and royalties, with the University reducing its equity share to help attract investment into its spinouts. 

This new model mirrors successful US universities’ approach and acknowledges feedback from the UK sector. 

Further information 

You can also visit the UoM Innovation Factory contact page to find out what support is available.