A systematic approach to IPR definition in cooperative projects

The identification of the Intellectual Properties (IP) resulting from a collaborative research and development project and the determination of correct levels of ownership regarding each partner is not only a matter of justice, but also an important requirement to ensure a smooth cooperation. In this paper, an example of a procedure to identify and characterize the IPs resulting from a collaborative project on “infrastructures for virtual enterprises” is presented. The distinction between Intellectual Property and economic value is described by briefly discussing the technological roadmap that turns research results into marketable products.