Assess the patentability and commercial viability of your work

Are you an OSU faculty member, researcher, or student with an idea or discovery that might have widespread application? If so, we want to hear from you. Completing an online invention disclosure through our Inventor Portal is a crucial first step toward protecting your interests and your innovation’s potential. It is also an important step for complying with the invention reporting requirements for federal, industry, and other types of research funding.

If you are new to the invention disclosure process and have questions about how and when to complete an invention disclosure, we encourage you to use the “Start a Conversation” option. Using the “Start a Conversation” option is also a good choice for experienced inventors who want help with focusing the description of the invention on the inventive aspects or evaluating who to list as an inventor(s).

If you’re ready to complete an invention disclosure, we encourage you to submit an invention using our online Inventor Portal. Submitting a complete invention disclosure provides the basis for an assessment of patentability and market opportunity, as well as meeting invention reporting requirements. You will need your Oregon State University credentials to access the Inventor Portal.

How the Inventor Portal works

If you are new to the Inventor Portal, you will need to click on “Request Account” button. You will be asked to enter your email address, after which you will receive an email containing your login credentials.

Once a disclosure is submitted, OSU Advantage will send each inventor an email confirmation, which includes an OSU docket number and contact information for the licensing manager assigned to your invention.  The licensing manager will contact you to coordinate the next steps and begin the process of exploring the potential of your research.  

If you do not receive an acknowledgment from a licensing manager within a few days of submitting your invention disclosure, please contact our office to ensure the submission was received.

What you'll need to get started

Our disclosure form requests the minimum amount of information necessary to move your innovation forward. Here is the most essential information that you will need to provide:

  • Complete technical description: Describe the invention in sufficient detail that someone of comparable skill could replicate the invention. This includes all the important and inventive features, all the essential steps of using or making the invention, and all the ways in which the invention can be used. This is must also include the best mode of use and/or most preferred version of the invention.
  • Disclosure date(s): OSU Advantage should be aware of all actual and planned publications, presentations, interviews or other means of sharing your idea on a non-confidential basis with those outside of the research team. Public disclosure before patent filing may jeopardize our ability to do so.

Public disclosure, sale or offer for sale of intellectual property (IP) prior to obtaining protection will seriously limit the ability to obtain patent protection. We request a minimum of TWO WEEKS' NOTICE of publication to guarantee timely evaluation and necessary protection.  

Common Examples of a Public Disclosure: 
  • Publication of a manuscript in a printed or online journal 
  • A displayed poster 
  • A presentation to an audience 
  • A lecture describing undisclosed inventions (including classroom lectures) 
  • A non-confidential customer/vendor meeting 
  • Sale or offer for sale of a "product" resulting from the IP 
If you have an invention that you are planning to disclose please contact our office as soon as possible.   
  • Contributor(s): All researchers who collaborated on the project should be listed with their contact information. This helps us to determine the primary contributing individuals/institutions.
  • Funding source(s): Any and all funding that supported this work should be disclosed to determine if OSU must meet any obligations to sponsors, such as to report your progress, offer a license or share commercialization costs and revenues.

Need more details or assistance?

For your convenience, we have step-by-step walkthrough of the Inventor Portal you can access here:

Inventor Portal Guide

For any other assistance with OSU Inventor Portal or questions about public disclosure please contact us or 541-737-1732. 

For more general FAQ's, Policies, Agreements, and IP search tips, please visit our Resources page:

Additional Inventor Resources:  We’re committed to connecting OSU researchers and inventors with the resources needed to take their work into the wider marketplace with confidence.  This Includes FAQ's, Policies, Agreements, and IP search tips.