Intellectual Properties

The Office of Society-Academia Collaboration for Innovation (SACI) is in charge of license agreements related to providing databases, software programs or digital content (excluding research papers or related photographs or recordings, etc.) created using Kyoto University financial resources, facilities, equipment or other resources, to outside entities in exchange for a fee or other compensation. In the following type of cases, please submit an application to the SACI Director-General and, by its decision, the copyright to such software or digital contents will be succeeded to the university and SACI will negotiate the terms and conditions with such outside entity (Regulations on Inventions, Article25). The office can be consulted in advance, regardless of the specific issues involved.

Consultation Regarding Providing Software Content Outside the University:

Please contact the person in charge of software content in the Intellectual Property Section of SACI.

Software Content That Requires Submitting an Application:

  1. In the case that an invention related to such software or digital contents was succeeded to the university;
  2. In the case that such software or digital contents is developed as a result of using university funds or research expenses managed by the university and also is licensed for use or conveyed to an outside entity in exchange for compensation;
  3. In the case that such software or digital contents is outsourced using university funds or research expenses managed by the university and also is licensed for use or conveyed to an outside entity in exchange for compensation;
  4. In the case that such software or digital content is governed by the Japanese Copyright Act, Article15 (Authorship of a work made by an employee in the course of his/her duties)

Overview of Processing

First, contact SACI via the “contents [at] saci.kyoto-u.ac.jp” e-mail address. Wait for a response from the person in charge.
The person in charge interviews the applicant and determines whether or not the content can be provided and whether any adjustments are necessary.
If they decide that transferring the content would be too difficult or that it would be more appropriate to use a different means of providing the content than by licensing, a preliminary determination may be provided at this point.
Complete the application form. The application will be reviewed within the university based on that form. The application form will be provided by the person in charge.
If transfer of the content is decided, then the person in charge will contact the receiving party to negotiate the terms, adjustconditions, and so on.
The applicant signs (or affixes their seal to) to a Deed of Transfer.
When both parties agree to the terms of the agreement, the agreement is consummated by affixing a seal of final approval.
Send the recording mediawhen contacted by the person in charge.
However, applicant cooperation may be requested for some types of software content that would be difficult for SACI to manage.

Digital Content

The digital content handled by the Intellectual Property and Licensing Section does not include research papers, research records, or other equivalent research materials.

Types of Software Content Provided for a Fee

If using the software content from the university provides financial benefit to the user, then the content is generally provided in exchange for financial compensation. The following are examples of such financial benefit.

  • Copies or modified versions of the software content are offered for a fee.
  • The software content is used to offer a service, such as contract testing services.
  • An entry fee or other compensation is charged for exhibiting the software content.
  • The software content is used internally in the operation of a for-profit enterprise.

Contact

Please use this form to contact the SACI.However, the response may be sent from a
department/division other than the SACI, such as from another division within
the university or from an affiliated company outside the university.