Office of Intellectual Property
The Office of Intellectual Property is the executive office of the University of Tokyo Intellectual Property Policy. The office systematically handles the securing of rights and the management and application of intellectual property, such as inventions created through the work of the University.
The Office of Intellectual Property cooperates with TODAI TLO, Ltd., and corporate lawyers to perform the following misssion.
Business Overview
Making Decisions about Organizational Ownership
The office decides whether or not particular intellectual property should become University property.
Consulting
The office gives advice on various questions regarding patent applications.
Managing Intellectual Property
The office manages the whole process of securing intellectual property, from patent application and registration to maintenance.
Transferring of Technologies
The office licenses patent rights to private companies and distributes the resultant income to the inventor and the department he or she belongs to.
Handling Legal Affairs
The office inspects collaborative research contracts and handles any related legal issues in order to protect our intellectual property.
Managing Finances
The office manages fees for obtaining intellectual property rights as well as licensing income.
Message from the General Manager
As stated in the policy for intellectual property, in the case that the results of University research are deemed sufficiently important to be protected as intellectual property rights, it is proper to construct and implement a system to promote the diffusion of such intellectual property, ensuring that it contributes to society while investing any resulting revenue in new research activities.
To achieve these lofty goals, the Office of Intellectual Property works closely with TODAI TLO, Ltd. and the Foundation for the Promotion of Industrial Science to maintain and update rules related to intellectual property. Together, we ensure that intellectual property is inherited properly, rights are retained, and our property is licensed to private companies—and that licensing income returns to the University. We also employ external law firms as advisors to help us promote collaborative research, retain ownership of and protect our intellectual property, and provide legal support for inspecting, signing and resolving any disputes concerning intellectual property contracts.
The Office of Intellectual Property aspires to become a trusted partner of faculty researchers, administration offices and private companies. We will do our very best to provide the kind of services our partners desire.
Tetsuo Ogama
Professor, the University of Tokyo
General Manager, Office of Intellectual Property
