Invention Disclosure Form

An invention disclosure form should provide an understanding of the results and insight into the scientific, legal, and economic context in which they were developed and where they are intended to be applied. In practical terms, it is a detailed questionnaire that, if applicable, should be completed collectively by all inventors/authors, including public employees, private-sector employees, interns, etc. 

It usually includes the following elements:

• Identification of the inventors/authors and classification as work performed within the scope of employment ("en mission") or outside the scope of employment ("hors mission") (Declare an employee invention | INPI)  
• Information regarding their contribution to the results, with a specific share for each inventor/author 
• The circumstances under which the work was carried out (collaboration with a company and/or other academics vs. independent research) 
• The technical problem addressed by the results 
• The state of the art in the field of the results (prior art) 
• A detailed description of the results, along with the solutions and advantages they offer compared to the prior art 
• The intended fields of application and target market(s) 
• Any third-party elements included in the results (e.g., open-source software)

Depending on the type of invention and your research field, different invention disclosure templates are available (invention disclosure, software disclosure, confidential technical file disclosure, and social sciences and humanities invention disclosure). You will find the templates for each designated agent (lead party) below. 

If you’re unsure which invention disclosure to download, visit this page to find your laboratory’s technology transfer representative as lead party.

   

Find the downloadable invention disclosures (ID) here: 

 

• CNRS
• PSL Valorisation
• INSERM
• Institut Curie
• INRIA

Invention disclosure form: Form
Humanities and Social Sciences Innovation declaration:  Part 1 & Part 2
Software disclosure: Form
Confidential technical know-how document: Part 1 & Parts 2 et 3

Invention disclosure form: PSL Valorisation

Invention disclosure form: INSERM

Invention disclosure form: Institut Curie

Invention disclosure form: INRIA

Some practical tips for completing your invention disclosure effectively 

Pay attention to the title of the invention: 

• Choose a clear and precise title that describes the essence of the invention. 

Describe the invention clearly and completely:

• Technical problem solved: Clearly explain the problem your invention solves. Be specific about the situation prior to the invention (prior art).
• Solution provided: Describe how your invention overcomes this problem. Emphasize the innovative technical aspect. Highlight the elements that make the invention original or non-obvious compared to what already exists.
• Technical details: Include diagrams, sketches, or figures if possible to make it easier to understand. Use precise technical terms.

Identify potential applications:

• Industrial applications: Be specific about the fields in which the invention could be used. Highlight the potential socioeconomic impact.
• Concrete examples: Provide scenarios or concrete use cases.

Use keywords and precise terminology:

• Be rigorous in your use of technical terms specific to your field to avoid misinterpretations or misunderstandings.

Keep a lab notebook:

• Record all stages of the invention’s design and development, including the dates of discussions, tests, and modifications. This can be useful in the event of a dispute or to clarify the origin of ideas.