Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1918 [PAGE 669]

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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

66 3

In conclusion I may state that a number of Government Scientific Bureaus follow substantially the plan concerning patents which we have proposed. Trusting that this matter may receive early consideration, I am, Very cordially yours,

C. R. RICHARDS

PROCEDURE GOVERNING PATENTS ON DISCOVERIES OR INVENTIONS MADE BY MEMBERS OF THE TEACHING AND SCIENTIFIC STAFFS In connection with the work of the College of Engineering and the Engineering Experiment Station, discoveries or inventions of commercial value will occasionally be made, and it is desirable in such cases that the interests of the University and of the public be safeguarded. The University is a state institution supported by public funds, and it is its duty to preserve for the use of the public all benefits accruing from investigations made by the University or under its auspices. A procedure should be followed, which will conserve the rights of the University and of the public in the utilization of the discoveries and inventions, and which will preclude the appropriation of the results of investigations by private interests through patents or other restrictions in such a way as to deprive the public of advantages and benefits properly belonging to it. It would seem that a proper way to safeguard all interests lies in taking out patents and in administering such patents in a manner which will best serve the interests of the public, the University, and the workers in the University. To insure the protection desired, the Executive Staff of the Engineering Experiment Station recommends: 1. That the principle be recognized that the! results of experimental work carried on by or under the direction of the scientific or teaching staffs of the College of Engineering and the Engineering Experiment Station, and having the expense thereof paid from the University funds or from funds under the control of the University, belong to the University and the public and should be used and controlled in ways to produce the greatest benefit to the University and the public. 2. That in case of valuable discoveries and inventions resulting from experimental work or of discoveries and inventions which may be expected to have a basic relation to other discoveries or inventions of commercial importance, the practice be established of taking out patents to be controlled by the University; and that any member of the scientific or teaching staffs of the College of Engineering, who has made a valuable discovery or invention as the direct result of his regular duties on University time and at University expense, may be required to patent his discovery or invention, the expenses connected therewith to be borne by the University. 3. That application for a patent to cover such discoveries or inventions shall be made in such cases as are recommended by the Executive Staff of the Engineering Experiment Station and approved by the President of the