Intellectual property Ontario agreement

The University of Waterloo may seek support from Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON) to assist with the protection and commercialization of inventions developed by Waterloo researchers. IPON funding can provide substantial reimbursement of eligible intellectual property (IP) costs, helping advance promising technologies toward commercial impact.

Because IPON is public funding intended to strengthen Ontario's innovation ecosystem, it is accompanied by specific requirements relating to IP management, commercialization activities, reporting, ownership and patent maintenance. These obligations are attached to the funded IP and may continue throughout the life of the IP, even in circumstances where the University is no longer actively involved in its management or commercialization. 

Researchers whose inventions receive IPON support should be aware that certain responsibilities may apply to them directly, particularly if IP rights are transferred back to the inventors following termination of a Researcher's Agreement. In such cases, IPON may require the inventors to assume obligations previously held by the University.

Please review the Intellectual property Ontario post-secondary education, hospital, or research institutional client agreement (PDF) for full details. Researchers are encouraged to review the agreement carefully and consult with WatCo on any questions regarding the implications of IPON-funded patenting and commercialization activities.

Waterloo Commercialization Office (WatCo) 
Email: watco-or@uwaterloo.ca