Yahveh Comas Torres

Interim Director

Tel. 787-250-0000, ext. 3151

yahveh.comas@upr.edu

Policies:

Certification 34 2018-2019: Policy on Patents, Inventions and Commercialization of the University of Puerto Rico– This document amends Certfication 132 2002-2003: Institutional Policy on Patents and Inventions. This policy provides the authority to solicit, evaluate and market inventions of faculty, staff, students and others who are employed or hired to work at the University of Puerto Rico.

Certification 66 2016-2017: Policy on Trademarks of the University of Puerto Rico – Establishes the norms related to the registration, use and licensing of trademarks, logos and names that are associated with the University of Puerto Rico, or any of its units or divisions.

Certification 93-140 CES – Its purpose is to protect, recognize and disseminate the intellectual property rights and responsibilities of members of the university community and of the University of Puerto Rico itself.

Circular 95-01– Guide the university community about current legislation and instances in which federal copyright law makes exceptions for the exclusive right to reproduce works.

Forms:

UPR Invention Disclosure Form- UPR researchers should disclose each invention using this form.

Important Webpages:

Inscription in the Intellectual Property Registry– The Registry is a mechanism created by Law No. 96 of July 15, 1988, as amended under Law No. 55 of March 9, 2012, to protect the so-called moral rights of the Puerto Rican author or of the foreign authors domiciled in Puerto Rico, regarding their creation, namely the conversation about its integrity, its exposure and withdrawal thereof within the situations that the law provides.

Registration of Marks and Trade Names– Access this website if you want to register your mark, trade name and related transactions. Before filing an application, you should search the PRTO’s database to see if any mark or trade name has already been registered or applied for that is similar to yours that is used on related products or for related services. Please press here to search for Marks, Trade Names and US Deposits.

United States Patent and Trademark Office– The Patent and Trademark Resource Centers Program (PTRCP) administers a nationwide network of public, state and academic libraries designated as Patent and Trademark Resource Centers authorized by 35 U.S.C. 12 to: Disseminate Patent and Trademark Information and Support Diverse Intellectual Property Needs of the Public.

United States Library of Congress– The Copyright Office is responsible for administering a complex and dynamic set of laws, which include registration of title and licenses, a number of statutory licensing provisions, and other aspects of the 1976 Copyright Act and the 1998 Digital Millennium Copyright Act.

NIH Office of Technology Transfer– Technology transfer at the NIH is a process which transfers medical knowledge from NIH laboratories to other organizations for the purpose of developing that knowledge into medical products to enhance the public health. In the course of their research, NIH scientists often make important medical discoveries. These NIH scientists disclose their discoveries to NIH technology transfer specialists who decide if patenting is appropriate, and when a patent is sought, begin to seek appropriate development and commercialization partners and licensees. Inventions developed in the NIH’s laboratories are owned by the NIH and are patented as appropriate.

United States Patent and Trademark Depository Library– A Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC) is part of a nationwide network of public, state, and academic libraries designated by the USPTO to support the public with trademark and patent assistance.

UPR Online Catalogs:

General Library: University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus– UPRM library’s online catalog.

General Library: University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus– UPR RRP library’s online catalog.

Searching for UPR patents? Press here.

What happens when I file a provisional application?

It is the responsibility of the institution to follow up on this matter so that we can submit a non-provisional request claiming the rights of the provisional application on or before twelve (12) months after the filing of the provisional application. The filing of the non-provisional application is subject to a study by the Intellectual Property Office based on the analysis of the information submitted in the provisional application.

Who determines if a non-provisional application is filed?

The institution determines if you wish to proceed with the non-provisional request. The institution must generate a document and / or report that explains and analyzes the possibility of obtaining a patent based on the information presented in the provisional application (In some cases the report is submitted prior to submitting the provisional application). Using this report the institution determines whether or not to proceed with the claim of the provisional application in a non-provisional application. This document must be submitted on or before 12 months of filing the provisional application for evaluation.

What happens during those 12 months after the filing of the provisional application?

In many cases the original invention or description changes or experiments are completed in this period. It is the responsibility of the inventor to report these "improvements" or results that were not previously described in the provisional application. These results or "improvements" may give way or help with the decision to submit a non-provisional request.

What if I have doubts with whom I communicate?

Our Intellectual Property Office is here to help you and try to answer any questions related to this process. You can write to upr.technologies@upr.edu with your question and we will gladly answer you.