Hokkaido University IP Policies

Collaborative research is a system that facilitates the generation of exceptional research results by allowing university faculty members and researchers of private institutes to work on common issues together, based on contracts. Necessary expenses required for the research will be borne by the company, and the research will either be carried out jointly with our faculty members or will be divided between the parties involved. The university also accepts researchers from companies and other entities to carry out research at university facilities.

Basic Policy Regarding Intellectual Property, Inventions, and Patents Achieved from Collaborative research with Companies

This policy indicates our basic approach regarding the handling of intellectual property, inventions, and patents (hereinafter referred to collectively as “IP”) generated from Collaborative research carried out by companies and Hokkaido University (hereinafter referred to as “HU”).

1. Ownership of rights
   In cases when an invention is created as a result of Collaborative research, the share of such rights shall be determined based on each party’s contribution to the said invention.
2. HU sole IP generated from Collaborative research
   1. In cases where the company requests a license, the company shall pay the full patent costs together with royalties.
   2. In cases where the company requests for assignment of patent rights, HU will respond to the matter through negotiation.
   3. In cases where the company does not request an IP-related license or transfer, HU will handle its IP at its sole discretion.
3. Joint IP between HU and the company generated from Collaborative research
   1. Full patent costs shall be borne by the company.
   2. In cases where the company wishes to retain an exclusive right to implement such IP, HU will request payment that considers such exclusive rights together with applicable royalties.
   3. In cases where the company wishes to retain a non-exclusive right to implement such IP, HU will basically request the payment of royalties, provided that each case shall be individually discussed based on HU’s contributions and the possibility of third party licensing, etc. Please note that in cases where such IP cannot be implemented other than within the company, it shall be deemed that the company owns an exclusive right, and the matter shall be handled in accordance with (2).
   4. In cases where the company requests the assignment of HU’s patent share, HU will respond to the matter through negotiation.
4. IP generated by Collaborative research based on an organizational collaboration contract may be treated differently than in the cases shown above.
5. Copyrighted works such as programs, databases, and utility models generated as a result of Collaborative research, shall be treated the same as described above.

June 1, 2019 (Revised April 1, 2022)
Institute for the Promotion of Business-Regional Collaboration, Hokkaido University