INDUSTRY AGREEMENTS

The IP Exchange negotiates and executes agreements related to the creation, protection, and transfer of Auburn’s intellectual property. This includes material transfer agreements (MTS, both ingoing and outgoing), confidentiality agreements (CDAs/NDAs), interinstitutional agreements (IIAs) with partner universities, license and option agreements, teaming agreements and industry sponsored research agreements.

Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs)

Research collaboration often requires the transfer of materials from one party or another. The terms of these transfers are outlined in an MTA whether the materials are incoming or outgoing. MTAs protect the IP rights of both parties, define allowable research practices for the recipient, and give guidance for any other requirements like shipping or safety considerations.

Often, materials are biological in nature such as cells, tissue samples, bacteria, antibodies, animals, plants, or plasmids. In those cases, a UBMTA can be initiated with a simple letter of agreement if the terms are appropriate. For other cases, including those involving non-biological materials like chemicals, software, prototypes and specialized materials, an agreement is negotiated.

Confidentiality Agreements (NDA’s/CDA’s)

Confidentiality Agreements, or non-disclosure agreements are common in research collaboration and may cover discussions that precede formal collaboration. NDA’s and CDA’s outline the responsibilities of each party upon receipt of the other party’s confidential information. Maintaining confidentiality is critical to ensuring a positive relationship with collaborators and for maintaining patent rights. IPX with principal investigators and their partners to ensure that the agreement’s terms provide appropriate protection without unfairly liming the rights of Auburn researchers.

Intellectual Property (IP) Licensing Agreements

Licensing officers manage individual inventions and serve as the lead contact for agreements that allow outside parties access to an invention. Licensing officers coordinate with the inventor on major terms for the agreement, and then with IPX contract specialists to finalize the formal, executable agreement.

Licensing officers also take the lead on Inter-institutional agreements (IIA) which dictate how inventions co-owned with other universities are managed.

Other Agreements

IPX also manages a variety of other research related agreements, including:

• Teaming Agreements

• CRADAs

• Testing Agreements

• Data Use Agreements

• SBIR/STTR IP Agreements

• Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) FAQ’s

Who do I contact about an agreement?

Troy Brady, PhD, CPL, Director of Commercialization, troybrady@auburn.edu, (334) 844-0878

Does Auburn have standard agreements?

Yes. Standard agreements can be found at ipx.auburn.edu

If you are forwarding a standard or template agreement to an outside partner, please copy either Troy Brady or the appropriate licensing officer. All agreement negotiations must be led by IPX.

Who signs agreements for Auburn University?

Research agreements are signed by the Senior Vice President for Research and Economic Development or a designee.

Agreements signed by inventors or others on behalf of Auburn University are non-binding and may expose signatories to personal liability.

Does IPX negotiate consulting agreements?

Consulting agreements are personal documents between experts and their clients and are not negotiated by IPX. IPX strongly encourages those considering entering into consulting agreements to seek legal counsel.

IPX can provide non-legal guidance regarding whether a given agreement would violate Auburn University’s patent policy.