Protecting and Promoting World-Changing Discoveries

The Office of Intellectual Property & Technology Transfer (IP Office) within Arrowhead Center protects, manages, and commercializes the creative products of New Mexico State University. Since our opening in 2005, we have aided the success of research from a wide range of NMSU departments and disciplines, from engineering and chemistry to agriculture and environmental science. Our focus is on use and impact: We help to shape how NMSU innovations are used and deployed in the wider community.

The IP Office is responsible for administering NMSU’s Intellectual Property Policies and for managing NMSU’s IP through activities such as legal protection and compliance with federal guidelines. We also provide support for NMSU community members with questions or concerns that arise around research contracts and relationships with external organizations.

Arrowhead Center’s professional staff members are a resource for faculty and research groups – both to answer questions and to explore ways to expand the reach and impact of research and innovations.

Inventor Patent Resources & Forms Innovator Copyright Information

Technology Portfolio & IP Marketplace

IP Events Contact Us

It Starts with an Idea…

Observations, experiments or other activities by members of the academic community can lead to Inventions. Some of these Inventions have potential for commercialization. The IP Office assists with the protection of Inventions with the goal of commercialization and transfer into the marketplace. This happens in eight steps, within three primary phases: (1) Research, Disclosure, and Assessment; (2) Evaluation and Protection; and (3) Commercialization and Licensing. New Inventions may go through all phases and steps in the process or, for a variety of reasons, the IP management process may stop, change or end at any step. The following gives a brief overview of the IP management of Inventions.

Phase 1 - Research, Disclosure, and Assessment

Phase 3 – Commercialization and Licensing

Step Eight – Commercialization:

The IP Office oversees and tracks the technology transfer process and, with support from outside Patent counsel, manages and administers the legal, financial and business documentation. The IP Office, Inventor, and Arrowhead Center program staff work towards outlining a commercialization roadmap and business model to seek funding and investment partnerships, which may include starting new companies. The IP Office works with Assignee to distribute Net Earnings generated from commercializing the University IP, when realized.

Protecting and Promoting World-Changing Discoveries

It Starts with an Idea…

Phase 1 - Research, Disclosure, and Assessment

Step One -

Formal Submission of IP:

Step Two -

Consultation with the IP Office:

Step Three -

Determination of IP Ownership:

Phase 2 – Evaluation and Patent Protection

Step Four -

Election of Title:

Step Five -

Provisional IP Protection:

Step Six -

IPAC Review:

Step Seven -

Non-Provisional IP Protection:

Phase 3 – Commercialization and Licensing

Step Eight – Commercialization:

Arrowhead Center

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