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THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY POLICY

October 5, 2011

Table of Contents

I. Intellectual Property: Definition

II. University Responsibilities

III. Faculty Responsibilities

IV. Ownership of Intellectual Property

V. Revenue from Intellectual Property

A. General Principles

B. Schedule for Net Revenue Distribution from Intellectual Property

C. Equity Holdings

D. Distribution of Equity Revenue

E. Distribution after Termination or Death

VI. Additional Provisions

A. Research

B. Use of the University’s Name

C. Publication

D. Confidentiality

E. Avoidance of Conflict of Interest and Conflict of Commitment

F. Grievances

Appendix I: Limits on Inventors’ Research Share of Net Revenues

Appendix II: Glossary

The Johns Hopkins University strives to support its faculty and employees in securing

commercial development of intellectual and other property resulting from their research so that

the benefits of that research may reach society at the earliest opportunity. This is consistent with

the University’s mission of developing new knowledge and facilitating the practical application of

such knowledge to the benefit of the public. The University has developed policies and

guidelines that provide incentives for its researchers while protecting the integrity of research

emanating from this institution. Moreover, the University provides an array of administrative

services to its Inventors to assist them in protecting rights to University Intellectual Property and

fostering commercial development.

This document describes University policy relevant to Intellectual Property and lists the available

University-wide resources. The policy shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with applicable

federal and state statutes and implementing regulations. It shall apply to all students receiving

remuneration for services, faculty, and staff of the University (with the exception of those covered

under the Invention Policy of The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory).

Faculty, staff and students shall be referred to as "faculty" throughout the remainder of this

document. (For further definitions of terms, refer to Appendix II, Glossary.) Acceptance of this

policy shall be a condition of employment with or enrollment in the University.

This revised Intellectual Property Policy supersedes that which was adopted by the Board of

Trustees on April 2, 2001. It is effective on the date of its approval by the Board of Trustees. It

shall apply to all new Inventions disclosed to the University after the effective date, as well as to

those Inventions licensed after the policy's effective date regardless of date of disclosure.

University costs for patent prosecution, licensing, and license maintenance shall be reimbursed

from Gross Revenues. University costs for patent infringement actions shall be reimbursed from

Gross Revenues in a manner and amount to be determined by consultation between the Division

Dean and the President.

I. Intellectual Property: Definition

For purposes of this policy, Intellectual Property is defined as any new and useful process,

machine, composition of matter, life form, article of manufacture, software, copyrighted work

(see IV. E) or tangible property. It includes such things as new or improved devices, circuits,

chemical compounds, drugs, genetically engineered biological organisms, data sets, software,

musical processes, or unique and innovative uses of existing Inventions. Intellectual Property

may or may not be patentable or copyrightable. It is created when something new and useful has

been conceived or developed, or when unusual, unexpected, or non-obvious results, obtained

with an existing Invention, can be practiced for some useful purpose. Intellectual Property can be

created by one or more individuals each of whom, to be an Inventor, must have conceived of an

essential element or have contributed substantially to its conceptual development.

II. University Responsibilities

The University acknowledges the importance of transferring its Intellectual Property in an

appropriate and cost-effective manner. To that end, the University shall establish efficient

mechanisms for technology transfer, so as to maximize the value of the technology to the faculty

and the University.

A. The University Administration shall:

1. Provide oversight of Intellectual Property management and technology transfer to

ensure adherence to University policies;

2. Assist the Divisions in establishing and maintaining effective technology transfer

mechanisms and Divisional policies and procedures consistent with University

policies;

3. Provide legal services and cooperate with the Divisions in promoting and licensing

Intellectual Property; and

4. Take appropriate actions to protect the University’s Intellectual Property.

B. Divisional Administrations shall:

1. Promote technology transfer in a manner consistent with the Division’s objectives and

academic environment;

2. Establish policies and procedures for technology transfer and the avoidance of

conflicts of interests, consistent with University policies; and

3. Review and approve all agreements that convey or affect the University’s rights to

Intellectual Property originating in that Division.

III.

Faculty Responsibilities

Faculty members who create Intellectual Property shall:

A. Disclose to appropriate University or Division officials and the Johns Hopkins Technology

Transfer Office the creation of Intellectual Property;

B. Conduct technology transfer activities in a manner consistent with University and

Divisional policies and procedures, including those governing conflicts of commitment

and conflicts of interest; and

C. Cooperate with the University in defending and prosecuting patents and in legal actions

taken in response to infringement.

IV. Ownership of Intellectual Property

A. The University owns all rights, title and interest in and to Intellectual Property developed

as a result of support either directly from or channeled through the University. By

accepting employment with or enrollment in the University, faculty hereby assign and

agree to assign to the University all of their rights, title and interest in and to Intellectual

Property developed as a result of University support.

B. University support is defined as financial or other support, regardless of origin, which is

used in the discovery or development of Intellectual Property and is provided through

University channels. In the absence of University support, rights of ownership of

Intellectual Property remain with the Inventor. Provision of an appointment shall not in

and of itself be construed as University support for purposes of this definition.

C. The University may transfer any rights of ownership by assignment or otherwise to the

Inventor.

D. When software or other unpatented tangible research property (e.g., cell lines and data

sets) is developed by faculty using University support, the University will own all rights to

such property, including copyright (subject to agreements with appropriate funding

sources).

E. Copyright to, and royalty from, literary or scholarly works in tangible or electronic form

(e.g., textbooks and other curricular materials, reference works, journal articles, novels,

music, photographs, etc.) produced by faculty members as a part of their usual teaching,

service, and research activities, and which do not result directly as a specified deliverable

from projects funded in whole or in part by the University or a sponsored research agency

shall belong to the faculty who prepared such works and may be assigned or retained by

them.

V. Revenue from Intellectual Property

A. General Principles

Revenues received as a result of Licensing Agreements in the form of cash royalties and/or

equity holdings shall be distributed in such a manner as to encourage technology

development within and technology transfer from the University. “Revenues” shall not

include funds received for research support.

1. University costs for patent prosecution, licensing, and license maintenance, shall be

reimbursed from Gross Revenues.

2. All shares of revenue, including the inventor’s, should contribute to the reimbursement

of University costs for patent infringement actions. The manner and amount of such

reimbursement will be determined by consultation between the Division Dean and the

President so as to maintain fairness and adequate incentives in the distribution of

revenue.

3. The schedule for distribution of Net Revenues shall be designed to provide personal

incentives to Inventors

4. The support and further development of technology transfer offices and functions shall

be augmented from the distribution of Net Revenues to the Schools.

5. The portion of revenues distributed to the Inventors’ laboratory(s) shall be limited to

avoid imbalance within the Inventors’ department(s).

6. Continued sensitivity to conflicts of interest require that certain types of research on a

licensed Invention by its Inventor(s) and/or the University may be disallowed whatever

the funding source. Sponsored research to advance the state of the art of existing

Inventions is encouraged under those circumstances where the Inventor’s

participation presents little, if any, opportunity to compromise the integrity of the

Inventor and the University. For review of cases involving potential Conflicts of

Interest, the Division should create a faculty committee or committees to review and

make recommendations to the Dean.

B. Schedule for Net Revenue Distribution from Intellectual Property

1. This policy provides for the distribution of revenues from both net cash royalties and

equity shares resulting from intellectual property agreements. The distribution of

revenue is in two tiers: at or below $300,000 per year as shown in Table I.

Table I. Net Revenue Distribution from Intellectual Property

Annual Net

Inventors’

School

University

Revenue

Personal

Research Share

Dept(s)*

Share*

First $300K

35%

15%

30%

Over $300K

35%

15%

25%

10%

* Limits to the Inventors’ Laboratory Share are set forth in Appendix I.

**Proportions distributed to the Department and School should be reversed if the Department pays patent

prosecution costs.

If an Inventor has appointments in the Applied Physics Laboratory and another Division of the University, the

Revenue distribution policy of the Division of primary appointment shall govern.

2. The schedule for revenues from intellectual property from inventors at APL is

distributed according to Table II.

Table II. Distribution of Revenues from Intellectual Property for APL

Annual Net

Inventors’

School

University

Revenue

Personal

Research Share

Dept(s)*

Share*

Over $5,000*

30%

15%

30%

10%

*First $5000 of Gross Income to Inventor

C. Equity Holdings

With careful safeguards, Licensing Agreements involving equity participation by the University

and its faculty are permitted. Under appropriate circumstances, research sponsored by

companies in which faculty and/or the University have equity holdings may also be permitted.

Establishment and execution of specific rules and procedures for implementing the policy

guidelines provided below are the responsibility of the Divisions.

1. University contracts with licensees must be negotiated by the appropriate University or

Divisional office and not directly by the Inventor.

2. The Inventors’ and the Institution’s equity interest will not be traded until after a

stipulated Trigger Date.

3. The Inventors’ equity interest will be held in escrow for the benefit of the Inventor by

the University.

4. Any association of the Inventor(s) with the licensee will be subject to disclosure,

including compensation, prior approval, and annual reporting.

5. Divisions from which the Intellectual Property originates must have adequate policies

and procedures for conflict of interest consistent with those outlined in section V.A.5.

D. Distribution of Equity Revenue

Unlike royalty revenue, equity revenue distribution is sporadic and likely to occur only once. Cash

received from the sale of shares allocated to the Inventors’ Laboratory(s) Share will be

apportioned in equal amounts annually to the appropriate laboratory(s) over the remaining life of

the relevant U.S. Patent or the remaining years under the relevant License Agreement,

whichever is shorter, unless the Dean of the School of the Inventor(s) and the Inventor(s) agree

to another method of distribution. The distribution schedule for equity revenue distribution is

shown in Table I.

E. Distribution After Termination or Death

1. The Inventors’ personal share shall survive termination of affiliation with the University

and, in the event of death of the Inventor, shall inure to his/her estate.

2. Upon termination of the Inventor’s affiliation with the University, the Inventors’

Laboratory Share, both the unspent portion and future allocations, will be reallocated

to the Inventors’ Department, School and University portions according to the

applicable royalty distribution policy.

VI. Additional Provisions

A. Research

The University shall only enter into a research contract or other binding commitment to

perform work that can reasonably be expected to be publishable, provide educational

opportunities, and/or be in the public interest.

B. Use of the University’s Name

All written or broadcast material containing the University’s name for advertising,

marketing, or other promotional purposes shall be submitted for approval to the President

prior to use of such material. A statement on the use of the University’s name shall be

included in all appropriate contracts between industry (company) and the University.

C. Publication

The University shall enter into contracts or other binding commitments to conduct

research and training only if they permit the disclosure and publication of research.

Delays in publication up to 120 days may be agreed to in order to permit time for filing of

patent applications.

D. Confidentiality

The faculty shall not undertake research in which the sponsor:

1. prohibits the faculty member from disclosing the existence of the agreement; or

2. restricts the faculty member’s public disclosure of information developed by that faculty

member (see section C. above).

E. Avoidance of Conflict of Interest and Conflict of Commitment

1. Trust, good faith, and open discussion of controversial issues among colleagues have

always been central to the life of the University. The activities of faculty members must

be governed by thoughtful consideration of individual circumstances, rather than rigid

rules. The requirement for reporting as outlined in the following paragraph is meant to

ensure that conflicts of commitment and conflicts of interest will be considered openly

and fairly, and that appropriate action will be taken to resolve those conflicts. Reporting

thus serves to protect individual faculty members, The Johns Hopkins University, and

academic freedom in general.

2. In cases where faculty enjoy rights to Intellectual Property under this policy, they have

an obligation to report fully any outside activities and interests related to their teaching,

research, or service to their Department Chair, Dean or other designated University

official and obtain their prior approval before the activity begins. The report must be in

writing and must include the names of companies for whom he/she consults, the

number of days committed to each consulting agreement and a copy of any proposed

consulting agreements associated with Intellectual Property. Consulting agreements

must be reviewed for compliance with University policies and government regulations

and approved by the appropriate Divisional office before the consultation can begin.

3. The holding of equity interest in a Commercial Venture by the University and faculty

Inventor, and the receipt of royalties and acceptance of consultant fees, places a

burden on the Inventor to report such financial interests in all relevant papers prepared

for publication or oral presentation, in order to avoid later accusation that adverse

results had been suppressed in order to enhance the marketability of the Invention.

F. Grievances

In the event an Inventor has a grievance about the University’s handling of his/her Intellectual

Property, he/she may appeal to the appropriate Divisional mechanism. An Investigator may take

a grievance to the Office of the Provost if: his/her Division has no appeals mechanism or; he/she

wishes to appeal a Divisional decision.

APPENDIX

LIMITS ON INVENTORS’ LABORATORY SHARE OF NET REVENUES

In the absence of a Divisional policy to the contrary, and for Net Revenues exceeding $300,000

for each license agreement, there is a cap on the Inventor’s Laboratory Share in any given

calendar year. This cap is the greater of $100,000 or the average sponsored research

expenditures per faculty member in the pertinent discipline area. This average is computed using

the modified total direct expenditure (MTDE) divided by the number of full time equivalents

devoted to sponsored projects in the discipline area for the tenure-track faculty members as

reported. Ten discipline areas may be grouped according to academic and administrative

Divisions with the University as follows:

1) School of Medicine - Clinical Departments

2) School of Medicine- Basic Sciences Departments

3) School of Hygiene & Public Health

4) G.W.C. Whiting School of Engineering

5) School of Arts & Sciences - Natural Sciences Departments

6) School of Arts & Sciences - Social Sciences Departments

7) School of Arts & Sciences - Humanities Departments

8) School of Nursing

9) School of Continuing Studies

10) The Peabody Institute

The $100,000 figure can be adjusted yearly for inflation at the President’s discretion. The

average shall be for the previous fiscal year. In the event there are multiple tenure track faculty

Inventors, the cap will be applied individually for each such faculty Inventor’s Laboratory Share.

The excess above the cap in any calendar year will be distributed twenty-two percent (22%) to

the Inventor’s Department, fifty-six percent (56%) to the School, and twenty-two percent (22%) to

the University.

APPENDIX II

GLOSSARY

Commercial Venture: A Commercial Venture shall mean a start-up company, limited partnership,

joint venture, or any other entity that has obtained a License to a Division’s technology that

involves equity. Ownership of a company’s stock by the University in the endowment investment

pool (EIP) will not alone define the company as a Commercial Venture.

idea that receives protection by the federal statute known as the 1976 Copyright Act. A copyright

gives an author or creator of an original expression (or in certain instances, the author’s

employer) the exclusive right to reproduce such expression; to distribute the expression (the right

to control the first sale of an embodiment of a copyright); to display the original embodiment; and

to prepare derivative works. To establish copyright it is necessary, prior to first Publication, to

owner.

Equity or Equity shares: Equity or equity shares shall mean shares of common or preferred

stock, warrants, options, convertible instruments, units of a limited partnership, or any other

instrument conveying ownership interest in a Commercial Venture.

Gross Revenues: Gross Revenues shall mean all income received by the University under a

License Agreement. Excluded from Income shall be research funds (unless the research funds

offset future royalty obligations) and maintenance fees received under the License agreement.

Income: Income is the revenue paid as consideration for a License. Income includes one-time

payment or on-going revenues such as License fees, maintenance fees, minimum annual

royalties, earned royalties, reimbursement of Patent expenses, and equity.

Intellectual Property: Intellectual Property is any new and useful process, machine, composition

of matter, life form, article of manufacture, software, copyrighted work, or tangible property. It

includes such things as new or improved devices, circuits, chemical compounds, drugs,

genetically engineered bacteria, data sets, software, musical processes, or unique and

innovative uses of existing Inventions. Intellectual Property may or may not be Patentable or

copyrightable. Intellectual Property is created when something new and useful has been

conceived or developed, or when unusual, unexpected, or non obvious results have been

obtained with an existing Invention which can be practiced for some useful purpose. Intellectual

Property can be created by one or more individuals, each of whom to be an Inventor must have

conceived of an essential element or have contributed substantially to its conceptual

development.

Inventor: An Inventor is one who makes a creative input to the conception of the Invention. U.S.

Patent statutes require that only the true Inventor(s) be named on the Patent. A coauthor or one

who merely reduces the Invention to practice (i.e., successfully uses the Invention in its intended

manner) is not an Inventor unless he makes a creative input to the conception.

Inventors’ Laboratory: The Inventors’ Laboratory is defined as the facilities which provide the

opportunity for experimentation, observation and/or practice of the Inventors’ particular field of

study.

Invention: A creation of Intellectual Property which did not exist previously.

License: A License is a contract which awards to a party other than the owner(s) of the

Intellectual Property the right to make, use, or sell the Intellectual Property. Licenses may be

awarded on an exclusive or non-exclusive basis and may provide for payment of fees, royalties,

or other income to the owner(s) of the Intellectual Property.

License Agreement: A License Agreement shall mean an agreement conveying rights in a

School’s technology to the Commercial Venture, and under which equity is received as partial or

full consideration.

Net Revenue: Net Revenue shall mean Gross Revenue less unreimbursed Patent prosecution

expenses, licensing expenses associated with a particular License Agreement, and that portion

of the expenses connected with infringement actions which have been agreed upon between the

Division Dean and the President as appropriate for reimbursement from Gross Revenues.

Patent: A U.S. Patent is a grant which gives the owner of the Invention covered by the Patent the

right to exclude all others from making, using, or selling the Invention in the United States. In the

United States, a Patent provides that exclusive right for 17 years. To qualify for U.S. Patent

protection, an Invention must be deemed new, useful, and non-obvious to one skilled in the art,

and must not have been in public use or on sale in the United States or described in a printed

Publication as defined below, anywhere in the world for more than one year prior to the filing date

of the U.S. Patent application.

Patent rights in many foreign countries can be lost if there has been any disclosure of the

Invention, verbal or written, anywhere in the world prior to filing the foreign Patent application.

However, if the U.S. Patent application has been filed prior to any disclosure of the Invention,

Patent applications may still be filed in foreign countries within one year of the U.S. filing date in

those countries which adhere to an International Convention even if there has been an

intervening Publication.

Publication: As related to Inventions and Patents, a Publication is an enabling public disclosure

of an Invention and may be verbal or printed. An enabling disclosure is one which will teach one

skilled in the art how to practice the Invention. Printed Publications include abstracts and, in

certain instances, grant proposals, funded or unfunded. A public disclosure is a non-privileged

Communication to one or more individuals from outside the University community. It is important

to emphasize that the issuance of a Publication may jeopardize one’s ability to secure a foreign

Patent. Questions surrounding the implications of Publication can be addressed by the Patent

Management Office or the appropriate technology transfer office.

Research Contract: A Research Contract shall mean a separate agreement to conduct research

related to licensed technology.

Tangible Property: Tangible Property is anything having a Physical embodiment (e.g., cell lines,

software, devices, compositions of matter) whether or not patentable or copyrightable.

Trigger Date: Trigger Date shall mean the date the equity held by the University and by Divisional

faculty Inventors is no longer subject to restrictions imposed by the University and may be

traded, subject to any remaining restrictions imposed by law, the underwriters, or the

Commercial Venture.