Columbia University

Columbia University has maintained its patent policy since its enactment in 1989. Creators receive 50% of royalties up to $100,000 and then their royalty share varies.

Summary

Institution	Start	End	Flat	$0-10k	$10-50k	$50-100k	$100-300k	$300-500k	$0.5-1M	>$1M	Fee	Lab	More
Columbia University	1989	2017	No	0.50	0.50	0.50	0.25	0.25	0.25	0.25	0.2	Yes	No

Policy Excerpts

1989 Patent Policy Excerpt

Inventor’s Share. The inventor’s share is computed on the basis of the cumulative income from any one invention. When net income from the conception is $100,000 or less, the inventor’s share will be 50% of that income. When net income from the conception exceeds $100,000, the inventor’s share will be 50% of the first $100,000 and 25% of the excess. The inventor’s share will not be altered when affiliation with the University is terminated.

Inventor’s Research Activities. Twenty-five percent of net income from the conception will be allocated to the inventor’s research activities or to any other proper and specific purposes of the University designated by the inventor. The income thus received is subject to these restrictions:

1. Ordinarily, yearly expenditures from this source for the inventor’s research activities will not exceed $150,000. If the inventor desires to use more than $150,000 in one year, approval by the inventor’s department chairperson and by the department’s principal policymaking committee will be required.

2. Any portion of the share not expended by the inventor will be deposited in an account, the inventor’s account, and will be reserved for the inventor’s research in subsequent years.

3. Should the amount in this account exceed $500,000, the excess will be transferred to the University.

4. Any residue remaining in the inventor’s account when the inventor terminates employment with the University will be transferred to the University in the fiscal year following termination of employment.

Relevant Links

• Columbia University Tech Transfer Office
• 1989 Patent Policy