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Faculty Handbook
CHAPTER VII: Institutional Policies

POLICIES ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY: OWNERSHIP AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT


Part 1. Introduction

The Mount Sinai School of Medicine (MSSM) engages in scholarly research for the purpose of advancing the understanding of the basic mechanisms of human disease as well as the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of disease. To discharge its obligation to the public and its patients, it encourages its faculty and students to discuss research results at public forums and publish them in books and other scholarly publications. Inventions often must be developed into commercial products in order for the public to enjoy the full benefit of discoveries or inventions. In that context, MSSM fully supports all efforts to commercialize inventions made by its faculty, students, and staff. The Mount Sinai Hospital is a not-for-profit teaching hospital closely associated with MSSM. This policy applies to the Hospital's staff, employees, visitors, etc. (As used herein, "MSSM" refers to both the Hospital and the Medical School.) The Bayh-Dole Act of 1980 provides academic institutions with the ability to elect to retain title to inventions developed using federal funds and thus encourages the commercial development of such inventions by the academic institutions.

1.0 Intellectual Property And Related Rights

The material set forth in this document covers the ownership, distribution, and commercial development of technology developed by MSSM faculty, staff, and students and others. The term "Technology" is broadly defined in this document and includes but is not limited to technical innovations, inventions, discoveries, and tangible research property as well as writings and other information in various forms, including computer software. The principal rights governing the ownership and disposition of Technology are known as "intellectual property" rights, which are derived primarily from statutes granting patent, copyright, and trademark. In some instances, distribution and commercialization of technology may be accomplished by the transfer (as used herein, "transfer" includes the licensing, assignment, sale or other distribution) of the intellectual property rights, such as patents and copyrights. In other instances, distribution and commercialization of technology may be aided by or depend upon access to the physical or tangible embodiment of the technology, as in the case of biological organisms. All policies of MSSM regarding intellectual property or conflict of interest shall be subject to applicable federal, state, and municipal laws, rules and regulations including, without limitation rules and regulations of the National Institutes of Health for research supported by those agencies. To the extent that there are or will be inconsistencies between MSSM policies and applicable laws, rules, and regulations, the latter will prevail over those of MSSM.

Part 2. MSSM Policy Statements

2.0. General Policy Statement:

The prompt and open dissemination of the results of MSSM research and the free exchange of information among scholars are essential to the fulfillment of MSSM's obligations as an institution committed to excellence in education, research, and patient care. Matters of ownership, distribution, and commercial development, nonetheless, arise in the context of technology transfer, which is an important aspect of MSSM's commitment to the improvement of patient care and public health. Technology transfer is, however, subordinate to education, research and patient care; and the dissemination of information must, therefore, not be delayed beyond the minimal period necessary to define and protect the rights of the parties.

2.1. Technology Ownership Policy Statement:

MSSM will own Technology made or created by MSSM faculty, students, staff, visitors, employees, volunteers and others (referred to herein collectively as "MSSM faculty") participating in MSSM programs except for Technology that is owned by the Inventors/Authors. Inventors/Authors will own Technology that is:

  1. Developed outside the area of research of the Inventor/Author conducted under a sponsored Research Project;
  2. Not created as a "work-for-hire" by operation of copyright law or not created pursuant to a written agreement between the Author/Inventor and MSSM providing for a transfer of copyright, patent or other intellectual property right ownership to MSSM or a third party; and
  3. Not developed with the use of funds or facilities administered by MSSM. Technology will not be considered to have been developed using MSSM funds or facilities only if:

    1. No more than a minimal amount of unrestricted funds have been used; and
    2. No more than insignificant MSSM facilities and equipment have been utilized. Use of individual office, library facilities, and of traditional desktop personal computers are examples of facilities and equipment that are not considered significant.

2.2. Certain Publications:

  1. MSSM does not claim ownership of rights to books, articles and other scholarly publications, or to popular novels, poems, musical compositions, or other works of artistic imagination that are created by the personal effort of faculty, staff and students that do not make use of MSSM funds.
  2. The rights to textbooks developed in conjunction with class teaching, unless such textbooks were developed using MSSM administered funds paid specifically to support textbook development, will be owned by the Author.
  3. In general, theses are subject to this policy and the applicable policies of CUNY.

2.3. Responsibility To Comply With Policy:

All faculty, students, staff, visitors and others participating in research at MSSM are deemed to be aware of their obligation to assign rights to MSSM and sign Invention and Copyright Agreements as provided under Part 5. All MSSM personnel and visitors are responsible for complying with the terms of any agreement sponsoring their research. They should contact the Grants and Contracts Office (GCO) for information or assistance regarding interpretation of research contract terms. The terms of such sponsored research agreements apply to Technology made by faculty, students, staff, visitors, and others who participate in performing research supported by such agreements.

2.4. Trade And Service Marks:

Trade and service marks relating to goods and services developed at MSSM will be owned by MSSM.

2.5. Software Acquisition And Use:

Whether the software and databases used at MSSM are owned by users or third parties and are protected by copyright and/or other laws, or subject to license or other contractual arrangement, it is the policy of MS SM that users abide by any legal restrictions imposed by the owner of the software or database. It is the responsibility of the owner of the protected software or database to make the nature of the restrictions known to the user.

Part 3. Technology Evaluation and Protection

3.0. Office of Technology and Business Development:

The Office of Science and Technology Development (OTBD) is responsible for facilitating the transfer of MSSM Technology to the public use and benefit. The OTBD evaluates, obtains proprietary protection for, and assists in the distribution of Technology for research purposes. The OTBD assists in the commercial development of selected Technology by identifying potential markets and negotiating license agreements as described in Part 4.

3.1. Invention Disclosure:

The initial step in establishing contact with the OTBD is usually the submission of an MSSM Technology Disclosure Form. The disclosure form can be obtained from the OTBD. When submitted, the Technology Disclosure Form will initiate action by the OTBD to investigate the patenting (or other methods of protection) and marketing of the Technology unless accompanied by a letter requesting other action by MSSM, such as a waiver of MSSM's ownership rights in the technology. A case number is given to the technology reported.

  1. Evaluation:

    2. All faculty are required to promptly submit a Technology Disclosure Form to the OTBD when they think they may have developed MSSM-owned Technology. (There is no obligation to submit a Technology Disclosure Form for Inventor/Author owned Technology. See paragraph below, which provides for an optional certification process.) Once a Technology Disclosure Form disclosing an invention is submitted to the OTBD, a representative of the OTBD will typically meet with the Inventor/Author as a first step in evaluation. In certain cases, contact with industry will be made as a part of the evaluation process.

    When necessary, OTBD will contact other members of the faculty, representatives of industry, and/or other outside experts to determine whether MSSM should seek patent protection. The OTBD makes the final decision as to whether patent protection will be sought, and it informs the Inventor/Author of the decision. The terms of sponsored research and other agreements normally create obligations for MSSM with respect to the reporting of Technology to the sponsoring entity. As a result, inventions and copyrightable works developed through sponsored research should be promptly reported to the OTBD by submitting a Technology Disclosure Form. Technology developed under MSSM administered programs, either as work-for-hire or with the use of MSSM funds or facilities, should also be submitted to the OTBD using a Technology Disclosure Form.

  2. Inventor/Author Owned Certification Process:

    Inventor/Author owned Technology need not be disclosed to the OTBD unless the owner of the Technology desires the OTBD to commercialize the Technology or unless the Author/Inventor wishes to have the OTBD certify independent ownership by the Inventor/Author. The certification process is available to assist inventors in assessing whether technology they have developed belongs to MSSM or is Inventor/Author owned.

    At the Inventor/Author's option, the issue of whether or not Technology is Inventor/Author owned may be submitted for a review by MSSM. The review will be by the Inventor/Author's laboratory director or department head, and a recommendation forwarded to the OTBD, which is charged with the responsibility of making the final determination. If the Inventor/Author is a department head, the Dean will make the review and forward the final recommendation to the OTBD. Absent such a review, MSSM does not waive any right it may have to Technology that is not Inventor/Author owned as defined in this Policy.

3.2. Patents:

Protection MSSM will normally seek patent protection for inventions in order to pursue commercial licensing or to comply with the terms of sponsored research agreements. Although patent protection is, on rare occasion, sought for various noncommercial reasons, such as professional status, MSSM will not seek protection for inventions that are not commercially attractive, even if the invention is intellectually meritorious. The procedures for obtaining patents on inventions are described in Part 4 - Commercial Development.

It is important, to understand that any publication (including an oral presentation) that describes an invention even in minimal detail prior to filing for a patent may preclude patenting in foreign countries and may also preclude protection in the United States unless a patent is filed within one year of such written or oral publication. The implications of publication on patent rights should be discussed with the OTBD and the decision on patent filing reached promptly so that publication will not be delayed.

3.3. Copyrights:

Asserting And Registering Copyright protection of books, articles, and publications is sought in order to recognize authorship and protect the integrity of the work. Obtaining copyright protection may be essential for MSSM to license copyrightable materials to commercial book publishers, software vendors and others and to comply with the terms of sponsored research agreements.

A copyright is established at the time expression is fixed in a tangible medium. In order to maintain the copyright for the period prescribed under the copyright statute, notice of copyright must be affixed to the copyrightable material. Failure to affix the proper notice will cause the copyright to be lost after a certain period of time has elapsed after the first publication of the work.

The following notice is to be applied on MSSM owned works to protect the copyright:

"Copyright © 19XX MOUNT SINAI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE. All rights reserved."

The date in the notice should be the year in which the work is first published. No notice other than the foregoing is to be used for MSSM owned works.

Further, for added copyright protection, certain works should be registered with the United States Copyright Office using its official forms.

Questions concerning copyright notices and registration should be brought to the OTBD.

3.4. Trade And Service Marks:

Asserting And Registering: A trade or service mark may be used to protect those names and symbols associated with certain MSSM activities and events and with certain technology developments such as computer programs. Prior to registration for trademark protection, the designation "TM" after a trademark or "SM" after a service mark will give adequate notice of a claim of ownership. The designation "®" for a trademark may only be used after federal registration.

Request for use and registration of trade and service marks to protect MSSM owned technology or to designate MSSM as the origin of a product, event, activity, service, or the like, may be instituted only at the direction of the OTBD. It is important to note that trademark protection carries with it certain obligations on the part of the holder of the mark. Therefore, requests for use and registration of trade or service marks on behalf of MSSM must be referred to the OTBD.

3.5. Tangible Research Property (TRP):

Tangible research property (TRP) such as biological materials and computer software is frequently patented or copyrighted as appropriate and then licensed for commercial purposes. The procedures described above apply to TRP as well.

Part 4. Commercial Development and Technology Transfer

4.0. Introduction:

The primary functions of a medical school are education, research, improvement of patient care and public health, and public service. It is in the context of improved health care that MSSM supports efforts directed toward bringing the fruits of MSSM research to public use and benefit. Federal legislation, in particular the Bayh-Dole Act, actively encourages academic institutions which are recipients of federal research funds to commercialize inventions made as a result of those funds.

In many cases, mere publication of research results will be sufficient to transfer MSSM research to the public. In other cases, it is desirable to encourage industry, by the granting of license rights, to invest its resources to develop products and processes for use by the public.

4.1. Commercialization - General:

The OTBD will pursue the licensing, or other transfer, of Technology by researching the potential market for the Technology, identifying third parties to commercialize it, entering into discussions with potential transferees, developing a business plan as appropriate, negotiating appropriate licenses or other agreements, monitoring progress, and distributing royalties or equity to the inventors/authors in accordance with MSSM royalty policy.

4.2. Inventor/Author Assistance:

With few exceptions, the support and cooperation of the Inventor/Author is essential to licensing success.

4.3. Inventor/Author Owned Technology - Transfer To MSSM:

MSSM faculty who wish to pursue the development of their Inventor/Author owned technology through the OTBD may offer such technology for evaluation by submitting a Technology Disclosure Form. The OTBD will evaluate the commercial potential and determine whether or not the Technology will be accepted for licensing by the OTBD.

Faculty, staff and students are free to choose some other mechanism for commercializing their independently owned technology, but prior to such commercialization may request certification of Inventor/Author ownership by the OTBD. (See Section 3.1.)

4.4. MSSM Owned Technology - Transfer To Inventor/Author:

OTBD may in its discretion and consistent with the public interest and any preexisting contractual commitments, license MSSM owned Technology to the Inventor/Author exclusively or nonexclusively with the provision of payment or royalties to MSSM by the Inventor/Author. The Inventor(s)/Author(s) must demonstrate technical and financial capability to commercialize the intellectual property, and the OTBD will have the right to terminate such license if the Inventor/Author has not achieved effective dissemination within 3 years. The license is also subject to the Inventor/Author waiving his/her rights to royalty sharing under this policy guide. Where such a license is issued, the Inventor/Author may be required to assume the costs of filing, prosecuting and maintaining any patent rights.

4.5. Waiver Of MSSM Rights:

When it has the right to do so, MSSM may, if requested by the inventor, and at MSSM's discretion consistent with MSSM's obligations to third parties, "stand aside" in those situations where MSSM has notified the Invent or/Author that it believes that the commercial value of the Technology is of insufficient interest to MSSM. By "standing aside", MSSM agrees not to exercise its contractual rights to the Technology, clearing the way for the MSSM Inventor/Author to seek ownership. Inventors/Authors may request the MSSM "stand aside" by submitting a letter of request to the OTBD. When MSSM agrees to "stand aside", the Inventor/Author assumes the obligation of meeting the obligations contractually imposed on the Technology by the funding agency or industrial sponsor.

4.6. Conflict Of Interest Or Commitment In Licensing Of MSSM Rights To Inventors:

Any of the following factors may signify a conflict of interest that will be taken into account prior to waiving or licensing MSSM's rights to Inventors/Authors:

  1. an adverse impact on MSSM's education responsibility to its students;
  2. an undue influence on the employment commitment of the Inventor/Author to MSSM in terms of time or direction of effort;
  3. a detrimental effect on MSSM's obligations to serve the needs of the general public; and
  4. potential conflict of interest as defined in MSSM's Faculty Handbook.

4.7. Commitment Of Future Inventions:

In general, MSSM does not commit to license, assign or otherwise commercialize Technology to be developed in the future. This includes commitments to future Technology developed by the same Inventor/Author to the original licensees even where improvements of the technology are anticipated. Some very narrowly drawn exceptions may occasionally be appropriate to handle subordinate patents and well defined derivative works or inventions. In general, such exceptions require the assent of the Inventor/Author.

4.8. Certain Provisions In Technology Transfer Agreements:

An agreement for the transfer of Technology is often complex and must be fashioned to meet the needs of a particular transaction. Nonetheless, MSSM has certain provisions which are to be included in any agreement. These are designed to ensure that the missions of MSSM are furthered by the transfer. These provisions are:

  1. Confidentiality provision: MSSM will not agree to restrict the publication of research results. Reasonable delay in publication for the purpose of evaluating the information described in the publication may be permitted. Every individual involved in research subject to a publication delay must be informed of any agreement to delay publication;
  2. Compensation: Mount Sinai will expect appropriate consideration for any Technology transferred. Such compensation may be in the form of royalty payments, or other monetary amounts or equity;23
  3. Sponsored research: The transfers must be consistent with any requirements imposed by sponsors of the research. For example, research contracts sponsored by the Federal Government are subject to statutes and regulations under which MSSM acquires title in inventions conceived or first reduced to practice in the performance of the research. MSSM's ownership is subject to a nonexclusive license to the government and the requirement that MSSM retain title and take effective steps to develop the practical applications of the invention by licensing and other means; and
  4. Insurance and Indemnity: There must be adequate insurance and indemnity provisions as determined by OTBD.

4.9. Consulting Contracts:

The MSSM will not negotiate consulting contracts for individual faculty or the Inventors/Authors even as part of a Technology transfer arrangement. However, the MSSM recognizes that from time to time Inventors/Authors may have consulting agreements which have a Technology transfer component. The following conditions must be met by each consulting contract:

  1. The consulting agreement must be consistent with the MSSM policy on Intellectual Property and all other institutional policies, including those regarding Conflicts of Interest.
  2. Technology may be transferred in the course of the consulting agreement only if it is Inventor/Author owned Technology.
  3. If there is a Technology Transfer component in the consulting agreement, no sponsored research may be conducted in the consultant's MSSM laboratory on substantially the same project.
  4. Each consulting contract must include the statement: "In the event the terms and conditions of this Agreement are in conflict with the terms and conditions of (individuals name)'s employment by MSSM including the terms of any grants or contracts administered by MSSM for which he/she performs service, the latter shall prevail".

4.10. Leave Of Absence:

A MSSM faculty member with the permission of the Dean and the Department Chairman may take up to one year unpaid leave to work at the company and not lose his/her standing at MSSM subject to MSSM's policy on appointments and promotions as specified in the Faculty Handbook. During any leave of absence, the MSSM faculty member may work full time for the company. Only Inventor/Author owned Technology may be transferred to the company.

4.11. Conflict Of Interest:

Remuneration received by any Inventor/Author, in any form, including equity, is subject to the Conflict of Interest rules and regulations of MSSM and those rules as may be imposed from time to time by relevant Federal , State, or City agencies or other research funding organizations.

Pending implementation of a comprehensive Conflict of Interest in Research Policy by the MSSM, all faculty are advised that in transactions involving the transfer of technology or a potential transfer of technology, they must comply with the Interim Policy Concerning Conflict of Interest in Equity Ownership and Technology Transfer appended to this policy.

Receipt of any compensation by the faculty, whether for consultation, or other activities, including founder shares, may not be payment for the licensing of, or access to, MSSM Technology. Faculty must disclose to the Dean any compensation, including equity, received from any licensee or assignee of MSSM owned Technology.

4.12. Legal Issues Arising From Equity Holdings:

When an Inventor/Author has an equity position in a company that is a licensee of intellectual property developed by the Inventor/Author, sale of any or all of the equity may potentially involve insider trading as defined in the federal securities law. Therefore, the Inventor/Author is required to notify the President of The Mount Sinai Medical Center of the intention to sell any or all of such equity holdings and to obtain the President's permission, which shall not, however, relieve the seller of individual responsibility.

4.13. Distribution Of TRP:

In keeping with the traditions of academic science and its basic objectives, it is the policy of MSSM that results of scientific research are to be promptly and openly made available to others. Since the traditional modes of dissemination through scholarly exchange and publication are not fully effective for most TRP, it is MSSM policy that those research results which have tangible form should also be promptly and openly made available to other scientists for their scientific research, unless such distribution is inappropriate due to factors such as safety, the need to more fully characterize or develop the TRP prior to distribution, or unless such distribution is incompatible with other obligations.

Where TRP is developed in the course of research which is subject to the terms of a sponsored research or other agreement, control over its development, storage, distribution, and use is the responsibility of the principal investigator, who will consult with the Grants and Contracts Office (GCO). In other cases, use of MSSM resources will be presumed and control over TRP will rest jointly with the laboratory director or department head and with the OTBD. The responsibility for control, which includes determining if and when distribution of the TRP is to be made beyond the laboratory for scientific use by others, resides with the principle investigator in accordance with the terms of this policy.

4.14. TRP Identification:

Each item of TRP should have an unambiguous identification code and name sufficient to distinguish it from other similar items developed at MSSM or elsewhere. The OTBD should be consulted for assistance in developing appropriate identification systems.

4.15. TRP With Potential Commercial Value:

Scientific exchanges should not be inhibited due to potential commercial considerations. However, TRP may have potential commercial value as well as scientific value. Principal investigator(s) who may wish to make TRP available for scientific use in a manner that does not diminish its value or inhibit its commercial development should seek guidance from the OTBD. The typical mechanism for commercialization of TRP is through licensing agreements.

4.16. Distribution Of Biological TRP To Research Colleagues:

Biological materials are in many cases patentable and licensed for commercial purposes under various types of patent licenses. They are also a form of TRP which can be distributed for commercial and/or research purposes with or without patent protection. Biological TRP owned by MSSM may usually be distributed for research purposes only, with minimal conditions attached. Any such distribution is subject to an agreement by the recipient that commercial development or commercial use or further transfer of the biomaterial is not to be undertaken. (These agreements are typically referred to as Material Transfer Agreements and are available through the OTBD.) In addition, the principal investigator may wish to control subsequent use, for example, by requiring recipients to follow a specific research protocol in the use of the biological materials.

4.17. Distribution Of Computer Software For Research Purposes:

The distribution of MSSM owned computer software to colleagues for research purposes must be coordinated with the OTBD if the software has potential commercial value, if the principal investigator wishes to control subsequent use, or if it is subject to the terms of a sponsored research agreement. The OTBD will provide wording for the distribution agreement necessary to preserve commercial value and will arrange for trademark and copyright registration as appropriate.

4.18. Other TRP:

Distribution of TRP, other than biological TRP, should follow the procedures outlined in this policy for computer software.


4.19. Royalty Distribution - General:

Royalty income received during the preceding MSSM fiscal year for a technology license shall be distributed sixty (60) days after receipt as follows:

  1. Deduct 15% from Gross Royalty which deduction is capped at $100,000 per year. This deduction, which may be adjusted from time to time, is directed toward partially covering from Royalty Income the non-specific transactional expenses of the OTBD.

  2. Then, deduct out of pocket costs directly assignable and, in some cases, a reserve for expenses in a specific case such as patent filing, prosecution and maintenance costs and specific marketing costs to arrive at "Adjusted Royalty Income". When in any distribution period such out of pocket costs and reserves exceed 50% of the Gross Royalty less the deduction specified in the paragraph above, the Adjusted Royalty Income will be defined to be 50% of the Gross Royalty less the deduction specified in the paragraph above and the remaining deductions and reserves will be carried forward to the next distribution period.

  3. Of the first $1,000,000 in aggregate "Adjusted Royalty Income", distribute 50% to the inventor(s)/author(s). For aggregate "Adjusted Royalty Income" in the excess of $1,000,000 distribute 1/3 of the "Adjusted Royalty Income" to the inventor(s)/author(s).

  4. The remaining Adjusted Royalty Income distribute as follows: 50% to MSSM and 50% to the inventor's Department. Note: If an inventor/author waives participation in royalties, those waived royalties will be shared equally by the Department and MSSM.

4.20. Equity Distribution:

Equity distribution24 will be made as follows:

  1. Deduct 20% of the equity. This deduction which may be adjusted from time to time is directed toward partially covering the non-specific and specific transactional expenses of the OTBD and out of pocket expenses for unmarketable patents.

  2. Of the remaining 80%:
    40% is distributed to the inventor(s)/author(s);
    30% is distributed to MSSM; and
    30% is distributed to the inventor's Department.

    Ownership of Founder's shares or equity ownership of more than 5% of a company, as defined in the Conflict of Interest policy, issued to the Inventor/Author within two years of the licensing of the Technology are deemed by MSSM as compensation for MSSM Technology. Therefore, the Inventor/Author must choose between retaining the equity in the Company and receiving his/her share of the Inventor/Author distribution or compensation that MSSM receives for the invention or turning over his equity in the Company to MSSM for MSSM to distribute under the royalty formula.

    The InventorAuthor must inform in writing the OTBD before the closing of the licensing agreement which option has been elected. The election is irrevocable and may only be changed at a later date under extraordinary circumstances with the approval of the Dean and the President of The Mount Sinai Medical Center.

4.21. Royalties - Special Cases:

In cases where a license involves a patent with multiple Inventors/Author and/or involves multiple patents, the OTBD will request the inventors to achieve from their perspective a fair and equitable distribution of the Inventors' income. If the Inventors can achieve an agreement, they will submit a letter signed by each one of them to the Director of the OTBD stating their agreement and providing the specific income distribution scheme. In the event that such agreement cannot be achieved, any one or more of the Inventors can so notify the Director of the OTBD, who will then request the Dean to form a committee of the faculty to make an appropriate recommendation with input from the OTBD which with the Dean's approval will be binding on the inventors. Should this committee be unable to reach an agreement, the funds to be distributed to the inventors will be disbursed as if all inventors have made an equal contribution and all inventions that are part of the license have equal economic importance.

Part 5. Faculty, Student, Staff and Visitor Obligations

5.0. General Policy:

It is the policy of MSSM, The Mount Sinai Hospital and The Mount Sinai Medical Center that individuals through their activities by MSSM, Mount Sinai Hospital, and The Mount Sinai Medical Center or by participation in a sponsored research project, using MSSM, Mount Sinai Hospital, and The Mount Sinai Medical Center administered funds or facilities, thereby accept the principles of ownership of technology as stated under this policy. In furtherance of such undertaking, all participants will be required to sign Invention and Copyright Agreements in accordance with the following policy.

5.1. Personnel Invention And Copyright Agreements

5.1.1. Who Must Sign:

Invention and Copyright Agreements must be signed by all individuals at MSSM who:

  1. receive support from sponsored research or MSSM, The Mount Sinai Hospital, and The Mount Sinai Medical Center funded projects; or
  2. otherwise may be in a position to make, conceive or reduce to practice Inventions or otherwise develop Technology under sponsored research or MSSM, Mount Sinai Hospital, and The Mount Sinai Medical Center funded projects, whether or not salary or other support is received from such projects, or through the use of MSSM, Mount Sinai Hospital, and The Mount Sinai Medical Center administered funds or facilities, must sign the MSSM Invention and Copyright Agreement. Note that this requirement specifically extends not only to MSSM personnel but also to visiting scientists and fellows or others. Voluntary Faculty as a rule are required to sign the policy only if directly involved in MSSM, Mount Sinai Hospital, or Mount Sinai Medical Center funded research.

Note: Whether or not a person covered by this policy has signed such an agreement he or she will be bound by the policy, including all terms of the agreement. A copy of the Invention and Copyright Agreement is attached hereto.

5.1.2. Administration:

Each MSSM laboratory and department through its Administrative Officer is responsible for ensuring that Invention and Copyright Agreements are signed by all faculty, students, staff and visitors, who may be or are involved with sponsored projects or who may have opportunities to use MSSM funds or facilities administered by that laboratory or department. The OTBD will monitor laboratory and department compliance with this requirement. All Invention and Copyright Agreements should be signed in triplicate with one copy retained by the signatory, one copy retained in the laboratory/department files and one copy sent to the OTBD. Invention and Copyright Agreement forms may be obtained from the OTBD which will assist with any questions which arise in connection with such Agreements.

5.1.3. Consultants And Independent Contractors:

Under the Copyright Act, copyright of commissioned works of non-employees is owned by the author and not by the commissioning party unless there is a written agreement to the contrary. All MSSM personnel are cautioned to ensure that independent contractors agree in writing that ownership of the commissioned work is assigned to MSSM, except where special circumstances apply and it is mutually agreed that the author will retain ownership.

Part 6. Administration

6.1. Interpretation Of Policy:

In disputed issues related to the interpretation of this policy, the Dean has the final authority. The Dean will seek a resolution within the guidelines defined herein cognizant of various transcending factors such as open scientific discourse, protection of the reputation and financial integrity of MSSM, and professional growth of MSSM's faculty, staff and students. Any such disputed issues that cannot be resolved with the assistance of the Office of Science and Technology Development should be referred to the Dean. In unusual circumstances, the Dean with the approval of the President of Mount Sinai Medical Center and of the Technology Transfer Sub-Committee of the Research and Education Policy Committee of the Board of Trustees of MSSM which oversees the OTBD may authorize exceptions to the procedures and policies stated in this document.

6.2. Office Of Science And Technology Development:

The MSSM Office of Science and Technology Development has two principal goals. The first is to facilitate the transfer to public use and benefit of technology developed at MSSM. The second, where consistent with the first, is to provide an additional source of unrestricted income to support research and education at MSSM. The OTBD will work with the MSSM developers of technology and with industry. However, it will do so in a manner which does not interfere with the normal flow of technical and academic information through publications, conferences and consulting.

6.3. Effective Date And Policy Review:

The effective date of this policy statement on intellectual property is October 24, 1995. The Mount Sinai School of Medicine Board of Trustees has mandated the Office of Science and Technology Development to prepare by January 1, 1998 a review of the implementation of this policy statement. The Board of Trustees itself will review the effectiveness of these policies by July 1, 1999. In the event that the economic terms of this policy statement are altered as a result of the Board of Trustees review, the Inventor(s)/Author(s), who had been receiving distributions of royalty or equity income and expect to continue to do so after the Board of Trustees review, may elect to continue to be compensated as specified in this policy or to be compensated in the future as specified in the revised policy statement which may result from the Board of Trustees review as of the effective date of the new policy.

6.4. MSSM Board Of Trustees Oversight:

The Technology Transfer Sub-Committee of the Research and Education Policy Committee of the Board of Trustees of MSSM will oversee the operations of the OTBD.

6.5. Invention and Copyright Agreement (Sample)

In consideration for my employment/appointment at The Mount Sinai Hospital and/or the Mount Sinai School of Medicine of the City University of New York (hereinafter collectively "Mount Sinai"), I hereby agree as follows:

  1. I will abide by Mount Sinai's Policies on Intellectual Property: Ownership and Commercial Development, a copy of which has been given to me and any amendments thereto promulgated by Mount Sinai;
  2. I will promptly report all inventions within the scope of the Policies on IntellectualProperty: Ownership and Commercial Development to the Office of Science and Technology Development or the Dean.
  3. If requested by Mount Sinai, I will assign such invention to Mount Sinai and will execute such documents, including patent applications and related papers, as may be deemed necessary by Mount Sinai to transfer and secure to Mount Sinai the rights to such invention and to any patent issued or to be issued thereon.


    _____________________________
    Date Signature
6.6. Interim Policy Concerning Conflict Of Interest In Equity Ownership And Technology Transfer

When an Inventor/Author Takes Equity: When the Inventor/Author is the transferee of technology, or a significant equity participant in the transfer of technology, certain policies apply to avoid conflicts of interest potentially damaging to the Inventor/Author or MSSM. All such transactions involving the transfer of MSSM Technology and equity ownership must receive explicit approval of the Dean, the President of The Mount Sinai Medical Center, and the Technology Transfer Sub-Committee of the Research and Education Policy Committee of the Board of Trustees of MSSM, which is charged with the oversight of the OTBD.

The Inventor/Author must sign a Conflict of Interest Statement, affirming that he/she will not:

  1. use students at MSSM for research and development projects for the company;
  2. restrict or delay access to information from his/her MSSM research;
  3. take direct or indirect research support from the company in order to support his/her activities at MSSM; or
  4. employ students at the company.

The Inventor/Author must differentiate clearly between the intellectual directions of his/her MSSM research and commitments to the company. To that end, he/she will expressly inform the Department head/Laboratory director annually of the general nature of his/her activities on behalf of the company. The Department Head/Laboratory director reviews and signs these reports.

6.7. When the Inventor/Author or MSSM takes Equity:

Once a decision is made to transfer Technology to an Inventor/Author's company or a company in which he/she is a significant equity owner, the transfer terms are negotiated. In most cases, the terms include a license issue fee, annual maintenance fees, and running royalties on product sales, all in the form of cash payments. Under some circumstances, however, MSSM will take equity in a small, tightly-controlled company in partial lieu of royalties.

There is a greater risk of conflict of interest, or the appearance of such conflict, when Inventors/Authors and/or MSSM hold equity, versus only royalty rights, which makes equity participating subject to special scrutiny. There is the possibility of substantial financial gain, even early in the invention's life cycle, through a public stock offering or acquisition by another company before the technology is proven or the first product sold. There is, of course, the possibility of substantial financial gain from a future royalty stream as well, but only in connection with the commercial success of a useful product.

If the Inventor/Author holds or will shortly acquire an equity position, MSSM may accept equity only with the prior approval of the Dean. If MSSM does not acquire equity, the company will be expected to grant the Inventor/Author holding or acquiring a significant equity position a total equity share reflective of the individual's contribution both to MSSM intellectual property and to the company operations. The OTBD will take this factor into account in its license negotiations with the company.

MSSM will not accept research funding from a transferee of Technology in which MSSM, through the OTBD, or an MSSM Inventor/Author of the transferred Technology, has a significant equity interest unless:

  1. the funded research will not be conducted in the laboratory of the Inventor/Author who owns the equity, or in any research area related to any transferred Technology;
  2. the students of the Inventor/Author who owns the equity will not participate in any project funded by the transferee. Rare exceptions may be made with appropriate assurances on conflict.

When an Inventor/Author desires to waive equity participation in order to obtain research funding from a small, tightly-controlled company, the OTBD will require in its license agreements that the Inventor/Author not make any arrangements to obtain equity at a later date and avoid negotiating for equity until at least two years following the termination of the research agreement. In such circumstances, MSSM will also refrain from taking equity.

MSSM will not take a seat on the Board of Directors in connection with the equity acquired through license agreements.

MSSM limits its equity involvement to a minority position (e.g., under 20% and typically under 10%).

Any equity obtained from a license agreement is transferred immediately from the OTBD to the MSSM Financial Division. Decisions on whether to invest university funds in future rounds of funding, or whether to hold or sell the stock when it becomes liquid, are made by professional portfolio managers involved in neither the original technology transfer nor the ongoing relationship.

Footnotes

23. Equity is defined as an ownership interest in a company, including but not limited to, shares of stocks, warrants, options, convertible instruments and participation as a partner in a partnership.

24. When the equity owned by MSSM is sold, the net proceeds will be allocated to the Department(s) and MSSM. If equity is not accepted by Faculty Inventors or cannot be transferred to them because of the licensing agreement or by reason of law, then all eq uity will be owned by MSSM and may be sold at a time at the discretion of the Director of OTBD with the approval of the President of The Mount Sinai Medical Center.
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