1. What is a patented invention?
    An invention can be considered patentable if it satisfies the following three criteria:
   • Novelty:  An invention must be new and original. An invention is not considered novel if it has been known, practiced, published, or disclosed by others anywhere in the world before the date the invention was filed by the applicant.
   • Non-Obviousness: The invention must not, at the time it was filed, be considered obvious to a person of “ordinary skill” in the field of the invention.
   • Industrial Applicability: Any invention which is capable for industrial use and is useful; so that it has a practical application.
2. What an inventor gets when he obtains granted patent?
    Having a patent protection for your invention does not give you the right to exclude others from practicing the invention. During the time a patent is in place, a patent holder or licensee can exclude competitors from making and selling products similar to the patented idea of invention.
3. For how long the patent grant last?
   The utility patent has a protection period for 20 years from the date of filing in most of the jurisdictions. For the other type of patent, please consult with the Technology Transfer Office.
4. If I publish materials about my invention, do I compromise the IP rights to protect my invention?
   In most countries, the right of patent protection is void once a public disclosure is made prior to the filing of a patent application.

A public disclosure is information about the invention that is freely available to the public and that is “enabling” – which means it describes the technology in enough detail that someone expert in the field would be able to make and use the invention. Public disclosure includes: publications, lectures, published abstracts and posters, conferences and symposia, theses and dissertations.

5. So, if I have a new invention and want to publish: what should I do?
    You are strongly recommended to contact the Technology Transfer Office once you become aware of a potential public disclosure. The TTO will assist you to evaluate and protect your invention while considering your timeline for publication or other type of public disclosure.
6. How to apply for invention protection to the Technology Transfer Office at UOS?
   you can simply complete the UOS IP Disclosure form here (add link to IP Disclosure form) and email it to: Dr. Mohamed Al Hemairy, Head, Technology Transfer Office at: MAlhemairy@sharjah.ac.ae.

After receiving the application, the TTO will schedule a meeting with you to further discuss the invention.

Once the review of the technology is completed, the patentability and commercial potential of your invention will be identified. The TTO will provide a recommendation for the appropriate type of protection for the invention and delegate it to one of our outsourced patent attorney that is an expert in the subject matter of the disclosed technology.

The technical background of the expert will help you to prepare state-of-the-art claims of the invention and file a strong patent application. The TTO team will discuss with you at later stage to explore the potential market of your invention and the best strategy to commercialize it to industry.

Useful Resources:

For further details about patents protection and technology transfer, visit the following sites:

• World Intellectual Property Organization [WIPO] comprehensive database of internationally filed patents.
• U.S. Patents and Trademark Office [USPTO] for information on the patenting process and filing applications in the United States.
• Association of University Technology Managers [AUTM] comprehensive information is an organization devoted to promoting technology transfer between universities and colleges and private enterprise and/or the government. Membership consists primarily of technology transfer professionals that work for universities