Argonne is updating its patent agreement and assignment (PAA). Employees have until Monday, Aug. 19, 2019, to sign the revised agreement.
In consideration of a Supreme Court ruling on the subject, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is directing national laboratories to have all employees sign new PAAs.
All Argonne employees have already signed a PAA, otherwise known as the Agreement Covering Inventions, Discoveries and Improvements (ANL-23) for regular employees and the Temporary Appointee Access Agreement (ANL-54D) for temporary employees, as part of their onboarding process.
The new PAA protects Argonne’s rights in discoveries and inventions that are created by people working at or for the lab. It does not create new rights in inventions, though it removes a formality of requiring Argonne to make an additional request when it wishes to enforce its rights.
An email will be sent to employees prompting them to sign and submit the new PAA through Workday no later than Monday, August 19, 2019.
Learn more about the revised PAA below.
Argonne National Laboratory Patent Agreement and Assignment (PAA) FAQs
Q. What is the patent agreement and assignment (PAA)?
A. The PAA is an agreement between UChicago Argonne, LLC, and its employees. It gives Argonne rights in discoveries and inventions that are created by people working at or for the laboratory. Argonne is starting a new PAA process for all employees as of July 19, 2019.
Q. Have I already signed a PAA?
A. Yes. During orientation, every employee signs the PAA, otherwise known as the Agreement Covering Inventions, Discoveries and Improvements (ANL-23) for regular employees and the Temporary Appointee Access Agreement (ANL-54D) for temporary employees. A PAA is part of the onboarding paperwork for all employees. By accepting employment at the laboratory, all current employees have already agreed to be bound by the patent agreement and related policies.
Q. Does the new PAA change or enlarge the laboratory’s policy regarding inventions?
A. The PAA does not create new rights in inventions (though it affirms those that the laboratory already has). It removes a formality of requiring Argonne to make an additional request when it wishes to enforce those rights. This change makes the agreement clearer and more immediate.
Q. If I am already bound by the patent policy, why do I need to sign a new PAA?
A. Argonne is complying with direction from DOE which requires all employees to sign an agreement updated in this manner. All future employees will sign the revised PAA as well.
Q. I am not an inventor and never will be, so why do I have to do this?
A. There is no practical way of determining which employee may, in the future, create something with laboratory resources that could be patented and in which the laboratory has ownership. Inventions sometimes arise in unlikely settings and in unexpected ways.
Q. How do I submit the revised PAA?
A. All employees will be notified when the revised PAA is available by email. Then you can sign the agreement and submit it through Workday.
Q. How long will I have to submit the signed PAA?
A. The signed, updated PAA must be submitted through Workday by Monday, Aug. 19, 2019.
Q. What if I have questions before I sign?
A. Should you have questions about the PAA, please contact your supervisor or directorate head. They can then refer you to the Legal Department as needed.