I am writing this memo to the faculty and staff of the University of California, Merced to relaunch our effort in intellectual property and technology transfer. As articulated in University of California Office of the President (UCOP) policy, “all inventions made by a University employee must be disclosed to the University, including inventions made on weekends, on leave, at home “in the garage,” or during paid or unpaid consulting work. Disclosure is a legal obligation of employment at the University.” I offer this quote not to appear presumptive but to provide clarity to an often times ill-defined or misunderstood topic. Invoking the proverbial notion, is there any wiggle room here?, I’m sorry to say there is very little. However, the topic of the invention coupled with the employees duties at the University may have a mitigating effect. The decision ultimately is made by UCOP on the basis of the information presented on the disclosure form. See attached ROI form
          

           The University of California is blessed with having not only an outstanding record of identifying and processing intellectual property but we rank at the top nationally in this area. You are, therefore, entering into a very mature and sophisticated enterprise.  In our scholarly efforts of creativity and discovery, we frequently encounter concepts or notions that are unique and embraced by this topic of intellectual property. I would ask you to be sensitive to those ideas that could conceivably be patentable or copyrighted and formally log the discovery. Rich Miller, the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research, is tasked with coordinating our efforts in Technology Transfer. He is available as a resource to you to assist in the first phases of documenting intellectual property and processing and shepherding the resultant disclosure statements to the Office of Technology Transfer at the UCOP level.
           

           In the next few weeks Dr. Miller will be developing two guidance documents to help the faculty and staff in this activity. One is written to assist the faculty and staff in the process internally. The other is guidance between the campus/University and industrial partners. In addition to providing the guidance documents, I plan to hold an informal session to discuss this and related topics and answer questions.
           

           Please do not hesitate contacting my office with questions. We are here to assist the faculty and staff to accomplish this facet of our activities.