SPONSORED
RESEARCH AGREEMENT
(Collaborative
Research - Jointly Owned
Intellectual Property - Long Form)
This Sponsored Research Agreement
(the "Agreement") is made between The University of Texas __________,
("University"), a component institution of The University of Texas
System ("System"), and ____________, a corporation with its principal
place of business at __________ ("Sponsor").
RECITALS
A. University and Sponsor are each
pursuing research in the area of _______________.
B. Sponsor desires to collaborate
with University and is willing to sponsor University's research.
C. Sponsor desires to obtain certain
rights to patents and technology resulting from the research.
D. University is willing to collaborate
and to grant certain rights to patents and technology that result from the research
collaboration.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of
the mutual covenants and promises herein contained, the University and Sponsor
agree as follows:
1. EFFECTIVE DATE
This Agreement shall be effective
as of __________ (the "Effective Date").
2. RESEARCH PROGRAM
- University will use its own facilities
and its reasonable best efforts to conduct the research program described
in Attachment A ("Research Program") under the direction of __________
or [his or her] successor as mutually agreed to by the parties (the "Principal
Investigator").
- The Research Program shall be
carried out from the Effective Date through and including __________ (the
"Term"). The parties may extend the Research Program under mutually
agreeable terms.
- Sponsor understands that University's
primary mission is education and advancement of knowledge and the Research
Program will be designed to carry out that mission. The manner of performance
of the Research Program shall be determined solely by the Principal Investigator.
University does not guarantee specific results.
- Sponsor understands that University
may be involved in similar research through other researchers on behalf of
itself and others. University shall be free to continue such research provided
that it is conducted separately and by different investigators from the Research
Program, and Sponsor shall not gain any rights via this Agreement to other
research.
- University does not guarantee
that any intellectual property will result from the Research Program, that
any resulting intellectual property will be free of dominance by other' rights,
including rights based on inventions made by other inventors in the System
independently of the Research Program.
3. COMPENSATION
- As consideration for University's
performance, Sponsor will pay the University an amount equal to its expenditures
and reasonable overhead in conducting the Research Program subject to a maximum
expenditure limitation of $___. An initial payment of $___ shall be made upon
execution of this Agreement, and subsequent payments shall be made as follows:
- Sponsor will make payments to
The University of Texas [at _________], referencing the Principal Investigator
and Research Program title, to the following address: [address].
- The Principal Investigator may
transfer funds within the budget as needed without Sponsor's approval so long
as the scope of work under the Research Program remains unchanged. After termination
in compliance with the provisions of Section 11, University will return to
Sponsor all uncommitted and unexpended funds.
- University shall retain title
to all equipment purchased and/or fabricated by it with funds provided by
Sponsor under this Agreement.
4. COMMUNICATION
AND REPORTS
- Sponsor's designated representative
for communications with the Principal Investigator shall be ______ or any
other person Sponsor may designate in writing to University and the Principal
Investigator ("Designated Representative").
- The Principal Investigator will
make up to _____ oral reports and one written report summarizing the work
completed each year of the Research Program. The Principal Investigator shall
also submit a comprehensive final report within one hundred twenty (120) days
after termination of the Agreement. The [Office of Accounting] will submit
a financial report of related Research Program expenses within [_______ (____)]
days after termination.
5. PUBLICITY
Neither party will reference the
other in a press release or any other oral or written statement in connection
with the Research Program and its results intended for use in the public media,
except as required by the Texas Public Information Act or other law or regulation.
University, however, may acknowledge Sponsor's support of the Research Program
in scientific or academic publications or communications without Sponsor's prior
approval. In any permitted statements, the parties shall describe the scope
and nature of their participation accurately and appropriately.
6. PUBLICATION AND
ACADEMIC RIGHTS
- The Principal Investigator has
the right to publish or otherwise publicly disclose information gained in
the course of the Research Program. In order to avoid loss of patent rights
as a result of premature public disclosure of patentable information, University
will submit any prepublication materials to Sponsor for review and comment
at least sixty (60) days prior to planned submission for publication. Sponsor
shall notify University within thirty (30) days of receipt of such materials
whether they describe any inventions or discoveries subject to the parties'
rights set out in Attachment B. University shall have the final authority
to determine the scope and content of any publications.
- University investigators may discuss
the Research Program with other investigators for scientific or research purposes
but shall not reveal information which is Sponsor's Confidential Information
under Article 7. If any joint inventions result from such discussion, University
shall grant Sponsor the rights set forth in Section 8, to the extent these
are not in conflict with obligations to another party as a result of the involvement
of the other investigator(s). In this latter case, University shall, in good
faith, exercise reasonable efforts to enable Sponsor to obtain rights to the
joint invention.
7. CONFIDENTIAL
INFORMATION
- The parties may wish to disclose
confidential information to each other in connection with work contemplated
by this Agreement ("Confidential Information"). Each party will
use reasonable efforts to prevent the disclosure of the other party's Confidential
Information to third parties for a period of three (3) years after the termination
of this Agreement, provided that the recipient party's obligation shall not
apply to information that:
- is not disclosed in writing
or reduced to writing and marked with an appropriate confidentiality legend
within thirty (30) days after disclosure;
- is already in the recipient
party's possession at the time of disclosure;
- is or later becomes part of
the public domain through no fault of the recipient party;
- is received from a third party
having no obligations of confidentiality to the disclosing party;
- is independently developed
by the recipient party; or
- is required by law or regulation
to be disclosed.
- In the event that information
is required to be disclosed pursuant to subsection (vi), the party required
to make disclosure shall notify the other to allow that party to assert whatever
exclusions or exemptions may be available to it under such law or regulation.
8. PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS,
AND TECHNOLOGY RIGHTS
As partial consideration for payments
made by Sponsor hereunder, Sponsor and University agree to the terms concerning
patents, copyrights, and technology rights set forth in Attachment B.
9. LIABILITY
- Sponsor agrees to indemnify and
hold harmless System, University, their Regents, officers, agents and employees
from any liability, loss or damage they may suffer as a result of claims,
demands, costs or judgments against them arising out of the activities to
be carried out pursuant to the obligations of this Agreement, including but
not limited to the use by Sponsor of the results obtained from the activities
performed by University under this Agreement; provided, however, that the
following is excluded from Sponsor's obligation to indemnify and hold harmless:
- the negligent failure of University
to substantially comply with any applicable governmental requirements;
or
- the negligence or willful
malfeasance of any Regent, officer, agent or employee of University or
System.
- Both parties agree that upon receipt
of a notice of claim or action arising out of the Research Program, the party
receiving such notice will notify the other party promptly. Sponsor agrees,
at its own expense, to provide attorneys to defend against any actions brought
or filed against University, System, their Regents, officers, agents and/or
employees with respect to the subject of the indemnity contained herein, whether
such claims or actions are rightfully brought or filed; and subject to the
statutory duty of The Texas Attorney General, University agrees to cooperate
with Sponsor in the defense of such claim or action.
10. INDEPENDENT
CONTRACTOR
For the purposes of this Agreement
and all services to be provided hereunder, the parties shall be, and shall be
deemed to be, independent contractors and not agents or employees of the other
party. Neither party shall have authority to make any statements, representations
or commitments of any kind, or to take any action which shall be binding on
the other party, except as may be expressly provided for herein or authorized
in writing.
11. TERM AND TERMINATION
- This Agreement may be terminated
by the written agreement of both parties.
- In the event that either party
shall be in default of its material obligations under this Agreement and shall
fail to remedy such default within sixty (60) days after receipt of written
notice thereof, this Agreement shall terminate upon expiration of the sixty
(60) day period.
- Termination or cancellation of
this Agreement shall not affect the rights and obligations of the parties
accrued prior to termination. Upon termination, Sponsor shall pay University
for all reasonable expenses incurred or committed to be expended as of the
effective termination date, including salaries for appointees for the remainder
of their appointment.
- Any provisions of this Agreement
which by their nature extend beyond termination shall survive such termination.
12. ATTACHMENTS
Attachments A and B are incorporated
herein and made a part of this Agreement for all purposes.
13. GENERAL
- This Agreement may not be assigned
by either party without the prior written consent of the other party; provided,
however, that subject to the approval of University, which may not be unreasonably
withheld, Sponsor may assign this Agreement to any purchaser or transferee
of all or substantially all of Sponsor's assets or stock upon prior written
notice to University, and University may assign its right to receive payments
hereunder.
- This Agreement constitutes the
entire and only agreement between the parties relating to the Research Program,
and all prior negotiations, representations, agreements and understandings
are superseded hereby. No agreements altering or supplementing the terms hereof
may be made except by means of a written document signed by the duly authorized
representatives of the parties.
- Any notice required by this Agreement
by Articles 8, 9, or 11 shall be given by prepaid, first class, certified
mail, return receipt requested, addressed in the case of University to:
UNIVERSITY
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE ZIP
ATTN: (CONTACT PERSON)
FAX:
PHONE:
or in the case of Sponsor to:
SPONSOR
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE ZIP
ATTN: (CONTACT PERSON)
FAX:
PHONE:
or at such other addresses as
may be given from time to time in accordance with the terms of this notice
provision.
Notices and other communications
regarding the day-to-day administration and operation of this Agreement
shall be mailed (or otherwise delivered), and addressed in the case of University
to:
UNIVERSITY
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE ZIP
ATTN: (CONTACT PERSON)
FAX:
PHONE:
or in the case of Sponsor to:
SPONSOR
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE ZIP
ATTN: (CONTRACT PERSON)
FAX:
PHONE:
- This Agreement shall be governed
by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State
of Texas.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have
caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives.
| SPONSOR
By____________________________
Title ________________________
|
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS
By____________________________
Title_________________________
|
ATTACHMENT
B
PATENTS,
COPYRIGHTS, AND TECHNOLOGY RIGHTS
- The following terms mean:
- Agreement: the Sponsored Research
Agreement between The University of Texas ("University"), and
("Sponsor"), dated __________, to which this Attachment is attached.
- Invention: any discovery,
concept, or idea, whether or not patentable, made by (i) the University
and/or the Principal Investigator, (ii) the Sponsor, or (iii) jointly,
during the Research Program, and arising directly from the performance
of the Research Program, including but not limited to processes, methods,
software, tangible research products, formulas and techniques, improvements
thereto, and know-how related thereto.
- Patent Expenses: any expenses,
including attorney's fees, incurred in searching prior art, obtaining
search opinions, preparing applications, filing, prosecuting, enforcing
or maintaining a patent or patent application with respect to Patent Rights
in any country in which the patent or patent application is filed.
- Patent Rights: any patent
application or patent covering any Invention, including any continuation,
continuations-in-part, divisional applications, substitutions, extensions
or additions thereto, and any corresponding foreign patent applications
or patents based on such applications or patents.
- Technology Rights: rights
under state and federal laws, including the laws of copyright, trade secret,
and unfair competition, in unpatented inventions, know-how, software and
other technology developed by the University and/or the Principal Investigator,
the Sponsor, or jointly, during the Research Program and arising directly
from the performance of the Research Program.
- Capitalized terms used in
this Attachment that are not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed
to them in the Agreement.
- Patent Rights and Technology Rights,
including inventions or copyrightable works made during the course of the
Research Program shall be owned by the parties: Title to all inventions and
discoveries made by University resulting from the research performed hereunder
shall reside in University; title to all inventions and discoveries made by
Sponsor resulting from the research performed hereunder shall reside in Sponsor;
title to all inventions and discoveries made jointly by University and Sponsor
resulting from the research performed hereunder shall reside jointly in University
and Sponsor. Inventorship shall be determined in accordance with U.S. Patent
law. Rights arise during the Research Program if they are either conceived
or reduced to practice during the Research Program.
- The parties shall consult regarding
preparation and filing of United States and foreign patent applications for
Inventions. The party designated to file an application will provide the other,
on a confidential basis, a copy of any such application filed and any documents
received or filed during prosecution thereof with the opportunity to comment
thereon. The parties will cooperate in obtaining execution of any necessary
documents by their employees.
- As partial consideration for Sponsor's
obligation to make the payments described in Article 3 of the Agreement, University
grants to Sponsor an option to negotiate a worldwide, royalty-bearing exclusive
license under Patent Rights and Technology Rights to practice any Invention
and use any technology made in the course of the Research Program. Such option
shall be exercisable in the following manner: Whenever University believes
that it has a commercially exploitable Invention, it shall notify Sponsor.
Sponsor shall have three (3) months from disclosure of any invention or discovery
to notify University of its desire to enter into such a license agreement,
and a license agreement shall be negotiated in good faith within a period
not to exceed six (6) months from Sponsor's notification to University of
its desire to enter into a license agreement, or such period of time as to
which the parties shall mutually agree.
- Any license to Patent Rights and
Technology Rights granted to Sponsor, as provided herein, shall include at
least the following terms and conditions:
- a reasonable and customary
running royalty on net sales from licensed products;
- the right of Sponsor to grant
sublicenses, with payment to the University of 50% of any royalties or
other proceeds received by Sponsor;
- a commitment by Sponsor and
any sublicensee to diligently develop and commercialize the licensed invention
and technology. In the event Sponsor does not achieve its commitment,
its license shall terminate upon written notice by University;
- a term that does not exceed
any limits imposed by law;
- retention by the University
of the complete royalty-free right to use any Patent Rights and Technology
Rights, including any licensed Invention, technology, or software for
teaching, research, or other educational or academic purposes;
- reservation of the rights
of the Government of the United States of America, as set forth in Public
Law 96-517, if applicable; and
- an indemnification by Sponsor
of University, System and their Regents, officers, employees, and agents
from all liability arising from Sponsor's development, marketing, and
use of any Patent Rights or Technology Rights.
- Subject to confidential treatment
by Sponsor of University confidential information that may be disclosed thereunder,
University grants Sponsor a fully paid-up, nonexclusive license under its
copyrights to make a reasonable number of copies for its internal needs, and
to make derivative works, from any written report prepared and delivered to
Sponsor in accordance with this Agreement.
ACCEPTED AND AGREED FOR SPONSOR:
BY:_____________________________________
ACCEPTED AND AGREED FOR UNIVERSITY:
BY:_____________________________________
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