Intellectual Property and Commercialisation

The University of Reading is leading the way in translating research findings into commercial opportunities.

Employees of the University regularly produce intellectual property (IP) in the course of their research and other activities. Some of this IP has significant potential for commercial exploitation which can be of financial benefit to both the University and the employee concerned. In addition, sponsors of research and government funders expect the University to make arrangements for the exploitation and commercialisation of IP to ensure a return on tax payer investment.

After protecting the relevant IP to ensure that your research or ideas are not being used inappropriately by others or being given away without permission and that you are recognised as the creator of such things as an invention; literary and artistic works; designs and software, this IP can be used to lever alternative funding through its sale, licensing revenues, or specific funding streams that aim to develop commercial applications of research; collaborate with industrial partners who want to develop the IP; and increase the impact of your research to a wider community.

The process of turning research outcomes into viable products and services can be challenging, which is why we have dedicated experts to support both University researchers and businesses throughout the commercialisation process.