Frequently Asked Questions
If you are a KU employee, a founder of a Startup based on a patented (solely owned) KU intellectual property (IP) and an inventor on any such IP.
No, you will not qualify (please refer to question 1).
Yes, but only if the third party is willing to accept the terms and conditions of the Swift Startup License.
No (please refer to question 1).
No, you will not be able to re-negotiate the terms of the previous license.
The KU inventors will need to resolve this issue independent of KUIC. The formation of a KU startup should be agreed upon by all inventors.
Please refer to www.kuic.ku.edu for contact information for KUIC Licensing Officers. If you already work with a KUIC Licensing Officer, you can contact him/her directly.
No, the terms of the Swift Startup License are fixed and if not acceptable, a more detailed and time consuming exclusive license agreement template will be used.
This agreement may not be edited. However, if there are specific concerns you may discuss it with KUIC. Please note that a request for additional edits will slow down the execution process because KUIC will need to involve the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research & General Counsel to review and comment on any such edits.
It is preferable to attend Startup School @ KU prior to receiving Swift Startup License terms. However, if the startup has a credible CEO and business plan the company can apply for a waiver. The applicant’s business plan will be reviewed and a recommendation made regarding the viability of the company to obtain such a waiver.
(a) a patent application that has been filed as a non-provisional, PCT, or foreign filing;
(b) multiple patent estates that could give rise to distinct product families;
(c) 2 or more distinct patent families;
(d) jointly owned intellectual property.
