University of Southern California
The University of Southern California has had two iterations of its patent royalty distribution policies since 1991.
Summary
| Institution | Start | End | Flat | $0-10k | $10-50k | $50-100k | $100-300k | $300-500k | $0.5-1M | >$1M | Fee | Lab | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Southern California | 1991 | 2001 | Yes | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0 | No | No |
| University of Southern California | 2002 | 2017 | Yes | 0.33 | 0.33 | 0.33 | 0.33 | 0.33 | 0.33 | 0.33 | 0.15 | No | No |
Policy Excerpts
Current Policy
The net royalty income after such deductions is distributed as follows:
- Thirty-three and one-third percent (33 1/3%) to the inventor(s) or the inventors’ heirs or assigns;
- Thirty-three and one-third percent (33 1/3%) to the University;
- Sixteen and two-thirds percent (16 2/3%) to the inventor’s School; and
- Sixteen and two-thirds percent (16 2/3%) to the inventor’s Department or Institute.
Pre-2002 Policy
If revenue is allocated equally among inventors, the inventors will not necessarily receive the same amounts because the USC Intellectual Property Policy has two different revenue sharing arrangements for patent license revenues depending on the inventor’s date of employment with USC. Inventors employed before April 3, 2001 receive 50% of the net revenue allocated to them and inventors employed on or after April 3, 2001 receive 28-1/3% of net revenue allocated to them. For example, if there are two USC inventors on a patent one of whom was first employed by USC in 2000 and one in 2002 and the revenue is allocated evenly among the inventors, then the 2000 inventor will receive 25% of the net license revenue (50% of 50%) and the 2002 inventor will receive 14-1/6% of the net license revenue (28-1/3% of 50%).
