TITLE: LICENSING AND VALORIZATION STRATEGY
SECTION 1: PURPOSE AND SCOPE
1.1. This strategy establishes the institutional framework for the management, protection, and valorization of intellectual property (IP), including the licensing and technology transfer of research outcomes, innovations, and entrepreneurial initiatives developed within Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) through spin-in, spin-out, and direct licensing pathways.
1.2. It applies to all members of the UM6P community, including faculty, researchers, postdoctoral fellows, students, administrative and technical staff, and any other individual involved in innovation and entrepreneurship activities under UM6P’s supervision or using its resources.
SECTION 2: PROVISIONS
Intellectual Property ownership and management
2.1. All intellectual property (IP) generated through research, innovation, or creative activities conducted at UM6P, or with significant use of its resources or funding, is owned by UM6P.
2.2. In projects involving external partners or sponsors, ownership and usage rights should be defined by the collaboration or funding agreement established between the parties, in accordance with the applicable laws and UM6P’s IP policy.
Technology transfer framework
2.3.UM6P’s technology transfer process follows three agile decision stages:
| Steps | Focus | Main Actions | |
| Step 1 : Disclosure & Protection | Secure the intellectual property. | If applicable, the inventor declares an innovation to the Technology Transfer Office (TTO); the IP is assessed and legally protected. | |
| Step 2 : Evaluation and decision | Evaluate readiness and potential and approve the transfer pathway | Venture building programs within UM6P ecosystem: The Growth Engine (TGE), DEV programs, The Foundry, the Hub, LaunchX…etc evaluate the technology’s technical maturity, market potential, and strategic fit. Based on this assessment and established decision criteria, the Licensing and Valorization Committee validates the most appropriate valorization pathway, choosing among the threes defined routes: direct licensing, spin-out, or spin-in based on the maturity, market potential, and strategic relevance of the technology and designates the entity/person authorized to exploit the technology based on clear criteria (see Annex 2). |
Technology transfer pathways
2.4. UM6P applies three standardized technology transfer ppathways for commercialization of its intellectual property (IP):
2.4.1 Spin-outs function under licensing agreements for UM6P IP. UM6P maintains ownership of the IP and typically holds -directly or through its affiliates- a minority equity stake (20%) in the new company. (see Annex 3).
2.4.2 Spin-ins operate under licencing agreements for UM6P IP. UM6P maintains ownership of the IP and typically holds -directly or through its affiliates- a majority equity stake (min 80%) in the venture. (see Annex 4)
2.4.3 Direct Licensing is an arrangement that allows an existing company (the licensee) to use intellectual property rights owned by UM6P (the licensor) in exchange for financial compensation. This pathway applies when the commercialization of UM6P intellectual property occurs without the creation of a new legal entity. Under this model, UM6P enters into licensing agreements directly with internal or external partners for the exploitation and valorization of its intellectual assets. Each agreement is developed on a case-by-case basis, reflecting the nature and maturity of the technology, and includes appropriate performance, reporting, and value-sharing mechanisms. (see Annex 5)
Inventor Participation and Value Sharing
2.9. Inventors or any UM6P staff involved in spin-out or spin-in may participate in the venture in either an operational or advisory capacity, under the following conditions:
Operational Role:
2.9.1 Individuals taking an operational (e.g., CEO, CTO…etc.) in the venture must commit to full-time engagement, with a clear intention to transition into the startup upon its formal creation.
2.9.2 During the transition phase, the individual may remain within UM6P for a maximum period of one year following the licensing and valorization committee’s approval of the project.
2.9.3 UM6P -directly or through its affiliates- will provide the necessary institutional resources to facilitate the success of the venture during this phase.
2.9.4 Progress reports must be submitted to the committee periodically, documenting milestones, development progress, and continued alignment with licensing terms. A formal presentation to the committee must be organized after 6 months to assess whether to pursue or not the venture in its initial framework.
2.9.5 the one-year transition period may conclude earlier if fundraising occurs and requires formal company creation.
Advisory Role:
2.9.6. Staff serving as advisors must agree with the project founders on the scope of their involvement, the potential financial model and ensure it aligns with UM6P’s HR requirement regarding time commitment. In any case, if the equity share model is adopted, the pool of all advisors’ shares must not exceed 5% in the venture to be created.
2.9.7. Special attention must be given to avoid conflicts of interest and ensure transparency, particularly where individuals are involved in multiple ventures.
2.9.8. In both roles, all participants are required to adhere to UM6P’s ethics and conflict-of- interest policies and may be asked to recuse themselves from any institutional decision-making related to the project.
2.10. Net revenues from IP licensing are shared equally (⅓ each) among the inventor(s), the originating laboratory, and UM6P. In the case of joint collaborations, this distribution applies to UM6P’s portion of the revenues.
Conflict of Interest
2.11. Inventors, contributors, and staff must declare any actual or potential conflicts of interest before engaging in licensing or venture activities (following the UM6P Ethics Code).
2.12. Members involved in evaluation or decision-making must recuse themselves from cases where a personal or financial interest exists