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For researchers and innovators

We help researchers and innovators to develop products, processes, and services from their world-class research. Do you want to add further impact to your research? We will assist with identifying, managing and protecting competitive advantage, generated from your research in order to facilitate its ability to make impact in society. This includes ideas, concepts, designs, inventions, expertise, know-how, novel ways of solving problems, inventions, and processes. Our services are free. Start your innovation journey with us by completing the Wits Innovation Disclosure Form.

FAQS

What is the mandate of the Innovation Support office?

We help to translate research into new products and services in the economy and society. We do this by identifying and facilitating the commercialisation of promising technologies developed from WITS research.

What does Intellectual Property (IP) encompass?

Ideas, concepts, designs, inventions, expertise, know how, new ways of solving problem(s), inventions and processes.

At what stage should I approach Innovation Support?

When you have a concept that has possible commercial and/or social application and BEFORE you disclose that concept.

Why is it important to speak to the Innovation Support before I publish?

Some IP can only be protected through registration (patents, plant breeder's rights, design) if it has not been disclosed publicly, so publishing can compromise our chances of protecting and commercialising it.

What does 'publishing' or 'disclosure' include?
  • Presentations at seminars, conferences, meetings or workshops open to people external to the university
  • Dissertations and theses published online or available in university libraries
  • Sharing with the media or any third parties, e.g. on a website or in person
  • Publication in journals, magazines, newspapers and books
  • Email correspondence that is not confidential
What does 'publishing' or 'disclosure' include?

IP created within the course and scope of employment or student registration is generally owned by Wits, in accordance with its IP Policy, in return for which the creators get a generous share of any financial or other returns from commercialisation.

How will I benefit from IP I have created?

If the IP is commercialised you will share in any revenue that the university receives. The portion due to the creators is as per Wits' IP policy.

Is there a fee for the activities of the Innovation Support?

No fee is charged to the researcher.

What role do I play in commercialisation of IP developed by me?

In our view the creator is an invaluable resource for technical expertise of the technology, contacts in industry, etc. Our experience is that optimum results are achieved when we walk a journey with the creator(s) to facilitate commercialisation.

Is there a typical timeframe for commercialising IP?

The process below defines key steps in commercialisation of technology.

However, in practice this process is often lengthy and may require many iterations of the steps:

  • Technology (IP) is disclosed to Innovation Support
  • Disclosure is evaluated to determine
  • Market potential and possible commercial and/or social application
  • IP strategy (how best to protect the IP)
  • Technology is marketed, and companies potentially interested in the technology identified and approached for possible licencing or development collaboration or funding
  • The commercialisation vehicle is considered, and if appropriate, a company to commercialise the technology is started
  • An IP strategy is implemented in parallel with the above
  • Terms of license or other arrangements with one or more existing companies are negotiated, or a start-up company is used
  • Funds are raised, e.g. WITS Seed Fund, for development of the product, if needed

If commercialisation is successful, we receive WITS' share of revenues generated and distribute to creator(s) their share according to the IP Policy.

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