
Research, knowledge transfer and digital innovation for higher education
From groundbreaking academic research and innovative incubator and accelerator programmes, to trade mark, copyright and patent portfolios, a university’s intellectual property is one of its most important commercial assets. As a key market differentiator, it is critical that higher education institutions (HEIs) can identify, capture, license, monetise and protect their intellectual property and wider higher education innovation efforts.
With extensive experience and expertise in advising both universities and corporates looking to collaborate with the higher education sector, our lawyers have a unique insight into the challenges involved with the world of research and innovation in higher education – and the needs and aspirations of our higher education (HE) clients.
Our extensive international expertise, supported by our membership of Pangea Net – a trusted network of independent law firms spanning 28 jurisdictions – enables us to provide you with the necessary strategic higher education intellectual property (IP) and operational guidance you need to operate successfully in both developed and emerging economies.
What we offer
- Capturing and protecting your higher education IP assets and ensuring they remain protected.
- Exploiting higher education intellectual property, drafting and negotiating agreements on all aspects of IP use and exploitation.
- Dispute resolution, helping you to enforce your IP rights.
- Supporting the development of commercial ventures from incubator and accelerator hubs to university spinouts.
- Conducting comprehensive higher education IP audits.
- Drafting and negotiating research & development (R&D) agreements.
- Advising on international collaborations and joint ventures.
Why choose Browne Jacobson intellectual property solicitors?
Our higher education intellectual property team is ranked as the “go-to firm for heavyweight IP matters”. For more information about our intellectual property legal services in the sector and where digital innovation in higher education impacts your establishment, please contact Selina Hinchliffe.
Featured experience
Joint venture and trading entity structures
Advising a university on its joint venture and trading entity structures for exploitation of its IP including charity and tax law support in conjunction with IP.
A university with multiple collaborators
Advising a university with multiple collaborators on the testing phases and route to market involving patentable technology capable of cutting diesel engine missions in line with government targets and timelines.
IP ownership
Advising HEIs on the legal issues affecting IP ownership in Germany, China and the United States.
Manufacturing and development of technology
Advising a HEI on the manufacturing and development of technology in China.
Our expertise
Key contacts

Selina Hinchliffe
Partner
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