Moratorium held on the transfer of intellectual property to foundations This is a reminder to all University faculty and staff. The North Dakota State Board of Higher Education and UND have policies regarding the ownership, management, and disposition of copyrighted materials and patentable inventions. These policies are clear that all patentable inventions developed at the University (including EERC) are the property of the University, and that only the President of the University has the authority to transfer intellectual property to other entities, whether they are non-profit or for-profit. This includes transfer of intellectual property for purposes of patenting, licensing, or other commercial development. In these agreements the University always retains the right to continue to use its inventions for further research and educational purposes. Because of a number of complex issues relating to intellectual property management, and pending the outcome of deliberations by a Working Group appointed by President Kelley to revise the current policies on intellectual property and commercialization, there will be a moratorium on any transfer of intellectual property from the University to its associated foundations. This is considered to be temporary; during the moratorium, the University will continue to transfer intellectual property to the private sector by licensing and other means directly in order to commercialize the fruits of University research. If you have questions regarding this announcement, or about UND intellectual property policies, please contact Phyllis E. Johnson, Vice President for Research and Economic Development. -- Phyllis E. Johnson, Vice President for Research & Economic Development, VPR & ED, phyllis.e.johnson@und.nodak.edu, 777-6736