Laws and templates

Work-related invention: Inventions created by an ETH Zurich employee while pursuing their professional activities shall be owned by ETH Zurich. Exception: inventions generated within the scope of research collaborations with third parties will be determined by a separate agreement.  

Private invention: invention created by an ETH Zurich employee outside professional activities and without using ETH Zurich resources or infrastructure (e.g. working hours, equipment, lab), it shall belong to the inventor (private invention) and is not subject to these guidelines. Note: If ETH Zurich’s resources or infrastructure were used, ETH Zurich can claim compensation.  

Student inventions: Inventions that are exclusively created by students who are not employed by ETH Zurich within the scope of their degree (e.g. within their Bachelor’s or Master’s projects) shall belong to the student(s) (private inventions) and are also not subject to these guidelines. Note: If members of ETH Zurich’s staff are also involved in such an student invention (e.g. supervisors of Bachelor’s or Master’s projects), ETH Zurich shall be entitled to joint-ownership of the invention.

Any revenue generated is initially used to cover the patenting and exploitation costs (e.g. for patent lawyers, official fees accrued or scheduled). The remaining revenue (= net revenue) shall normally be divided up as follows, subject to possible financial claims of third parties.

• 1/3 shall go to the inventors and be divided up in accordance with the share of inventors.
• 1/3 shall go to the professorship that created the invention, for research purposes
• 1/3 shall go centrally to ETH Zurich

Note: If a patent application is funded wholly or in part by the professor, his/her share shall increase to max. 50%. Please see the table below for more detailes.