Confidentiality
The University of Maine uses standard agreements to safeguard confidential and proprietary information. UMaine's Department of Industrial Cooperation is an excellent resource and works closely with the PDC to review and tailor collaboration and non-disclosure agreements for specific projects.
At the client’s request, project information can be uploaded to a secure and password-protected ftp (file transfer protocol) section of the PDC’s website. The ftp site is located at ftp:umche.maine.edu.
Intellectual Property
The intellectual property (IP) rights accruing to work performed at UMaine are negotiable based upon the respective roles of the client and the PDC when new processes, products, and technologies are developed. For more information on contracts and to view examples of standard agreements click here.
Publications
Industry-sponsored research conducted at the PDC is kept strictly confidential. When both parties agree that results should be published, the client is afforded an opportunity to review such materials and to exclude proprietary/confidential information. Publications may be delayed until suitable IP protection is secured. Publication rights will be determined prior to the start of any project and are protected by Confidential Disclosure Agreements.
For research that is sponsored by Federal and/or State grants or funding, publication is generally required so that new knowledge is transferred to the public. This is in keeping with UMaine’s role as a public institution and its efforts to advance science for the public good.