IP in EU research projects
IP management in Horizon Europe: background and results, access rights, open science obligations and the consortium agreement.
Intellectual property
Protect, manage and make the most of your intellectual property
For companies, research teams and consortia, intellectual property is often the most valuable result of a project. We help you identify it, protect it, set clear ownership and turn it into commercial value, in line with the rules of EU research and innovation programmes.
IP checklist
What funders and investors want to know about your IP
Applications for EU funding and talks with investors usually require a clear picture of the project’s intellectual property assets. These are the points we help you address.
- 1Key knowledge and ownersThe key knowledge and IPR items, and who owns them.
- 2ProtectionPatents filed or granted, or other ways of protecting the results.
- 3OwnershipClear ownership of each asset, including results created jointly.
- 4Freedom to operateThe measures that make commercial exploitation possible without infringing the rights of others.
- 5Strategy and current statusThe strategy for managing and protecting knowledge, and the current IP status.
- 6Regulation and standardsThe regulatory or standardisation requirements for exploiting the technology, product, solution or concept, and how they will be met.
Areas of work
IP across the whole life of a project
IP and contracts
Licensing, assignment and cooperation agreements that set out clearly who owns and who may use each result.
Trade secrets
Protecting confidential know-how, including against digital threats and cybercrime.
Valorisation and commercialisation
Turning research results and know-how into products, services and licences with real market value.
IP in international business
Protecting your rights when you trade, cooperate or expand outside your home market, including the Unitary Patent system.
Standardisation
The link between intellectual assets, standards and regulatory requirements for bringing a solution to market.
Useful resources
Free IP guides from the European IP Helpdesk
The European IP Helpdesk, a European Commission service for SMEs, publishes practical guides on intellectual property. Here is a selection.
Managing IP in business
- Your Guide to IP in EuropeAnswers to common IP questions for SMEs
- IP Management in International BusinessBasic facts for doing business abroad
- Your Guide to IP and ContractsLicensing, transfers and cooperation agreements
- Your Guide to IP CommercialisationTurning IP into commercial value
- Cybercrimes and Trade Secret ProtectionDigital threats to confidential know-how
- 10 Steps to Find a Suitable IP ProfessionalHow to choose an IP adviser
IP in EU research programmes
- IP Management in Horizon EuropeManaging IP in research projects
- Open Science in Horizon EuropeOpen science rules and guidelines
- Valorisation of Research Results in Horizon EuropeFrom results to practical solutions
- IP Handbook for the EEN Client JourneyGuidance used by Enterprise Europe Network advisers
- Your Guide to IP in Horizon 2020For projects under the previous programme
- Making the Most of Your H2020 ProjectCommunicating and disseminating results
Contact
Not sure who owns what in your project?
Tell us about your project, partners and results. We will help you put the IP side in order.