Handling IP in H2020 proposal stage

IP issues to be considered at proposal stage:

1. Before you start

Before you start writing your project proposal you should take the time to carefully go through all the official documents, and become familiar with the specific IP-related rules applicable to your call:

• the applicable work programme,
• the general Rules for Participation in Horizon 2020,
• the Model Grant Agreement applicable for your specific call (available in the participant portal)

2. Define your own IP background

Consider existing knowledge, know-how, IP that you will bring to the project, and bear in mind potential rights of third parties that may be needed for the project

You should identify the tangible and intangible assets likely to be needed for the implementation of your project and/or for the use of the expected results

You should therefore consider identifying the components you are likely to bring to the project

• i.e. scientific studies, methods, materials, and
• potential Intellectual Property Rights attached to them (i.e. patent, copyright)
• verify who owns them, ask for authorisation to use them in case there are third party rights
• depending on the type of Intellectual Property, consider their registration before the project starts

3. Confidentiality Issues

Think about confidentiality issues when drafting, discussing and negotiating your ideas and project contribution with others

To avoid any misappropriation and use of such information it is best- practice to conclude a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) or

Include confidentiality obligations in a Memorandum of Understanding where you:

• identify relevant information
• define the use of information as well as restrictions
• include possible sanction

4. Assess the State-of-the-Art (SOTA)

This is a crucial point for a positive evaluation of your project proposal

• State-of-the-art analyses should include the following actions:
• Screen the already existing project landscape
• Examine existing scientific literature

Search in patent databases e.g. by using the openly accessible database Espacenet provided by the European Patent Office 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-2PDaUrADk

Espacenet Link

5. Clear Plan

Have a clear plan concerning the dissemination and exploitation of project results

Why ?

• Commitments to disseminate project results ASAP
• use best efforts to exploit the results of the project

Download model NDA templates from the EU IPR Helpdesk.