Intellectual property and solutions

This page provides basic guidelines on intellectual property for solutions developed through the platform. The text is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

1. Expression of interest stage

At the expression of interest stage (Expression of Interest), providers:

• briefly present who they are and what competencies they have,
• describe their general approach to solving the problem,
• do not have to disclose detailed solutions, algorithms, models or other key elements.

In this way, the risk of unauthorised appropriation of ideas before contractual relations are established is reduced.

2. Contracts between seeker and provider

Once the solution seeker selects a provider, it is recommended to sign a written contract that will regulate:

• who is the holder of copyright and other intellectual property rights to the developed solution,
• whether and under which conditions the seeker may adapt, modify and further use the solution,
• whether the provider retains the right to use the solution (or a modified version of it) for other clients,
• how the authors of the solution will be acknowledged (e.g. in promotional materials),
• any confidentiality obligations (NDA) and protection of trade secrets.

3. Marketplace of completed solutions (future stage)

In a future development stage of the platform, it is planned that already developed solutions, with the consent of both the seeker and the provider, may be offered to other organisations through a "marketplace of completed solutions".

In that case, the model may include:

• a licence or usage fee paid by a new organisation adopting the solution,
• a share of that fee going to the solution provider,
• a share serving as a commission for the faculty as the owner and administrator of the platform.

4. Respect for third-party intellectual property

All users of the platform must respect third-party intellectual property and must not include in their solutions any content (text, images, software, databases, etc.) for which they do not have appropriate licences or permissions.

5. User liability

The faculty and the platform do not assume liability for intellectual property infringements that arise:

• between the solution seeker and the provider,
• or in relation to third parties,

and such situations are resolved in accordance with the law and with the contracts between the parties involved.

6. Recommendation

For larger or strategically important projects, users are advised to seek advice from their institution’s legal department or from an intellectual property specialist, especially before signing contracts and transferring usage rights.