What is the IPIA?

The IPIA is an agreement that effectively transfers ownership of certain intellectual property to MIT (consistent with MIT Policy). Reivew the policy statement in the MIT IP Policy to learn more about the importance of effectively transferring ownership of certain IP to MIT. All questions regarding the IPIA can be directed to the TLO.

Assertion of Ownership

Per the IPIA, MIT would own an inventor’s own intellectual property in limited circumstances. Visit our page on invention ownership to learn more.

Obligations

The IPIA contains certain obligations of which all signers should be aware. Learn more here.

HOW TO SIGN

Some researchers can sign the IPIA via Atlas; others must sign the IPIA in hard copy. Links to forms are available below.

Who can sign via Atlas?

Faculty, staff (including visitors, research affiliates and fellows, and Media Lab), graduate students (including Media Lab), and undergraduates (including minors) may sign the IPIA via Atlas (MIT certificates required). The executed IPIA will be automatically sent to the signatory and to the TLO with a note to the DLC primary HR contact.

Visitors and research affiliates will be prompted to print the IPIA, sign, and present it to their home institution or employer for their signature (usually an authorized signatory, counsel, or Tech Transfer Office equivalent). See IPIA Guidance for Visitors for more information or contact the TLO.

Who must sign a hard copy IPIA form?

Anyone whose appointments have not been approved by the appropriate Dean’s Office must sign a hard copy version of the IPIA (see forms below). 

Anyone transferring from a current appointment to a visiting or research affiliate appointment (e.g., graduate students or postdoctoral associates) must sign a hard copy Visitor IPIA form.

IPIA Forms:

MIT IPIA (MIT faculty, staff, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and associates, undergraduate students participating in UROPs, and Visiting Students)

MIT Visitor IPIA (visiting scientists, research affiliates, and visiting graduate students)