Guidance

KAM Guide: Further resources and glossary of terms

Published 9 June 2026

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Further resources: Introduction and IP policy

The following resources provide further guidance on knowledge exchange, intellectual property, research collaboration, security and commercialisation. 

Knowledge exchange and collaboration 

Knowledge Exchange Concordat

Sets out shared principles to support effective collaboration and the exchange of knowledge, expertise and resources between higher education, business, government and wider society. 

Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) – Research England 

Provides information on the knowledge exchange performance and activities of higher education providers in England. 

Intellectual property legislation 

Patents Act 1977 – UK legislation 

Sets out the legal framework for patent protection in the UK, including patents arising from research activity. Patent protection is territorial and does not extend outside the UK unless protection is sought in other countries. 

Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 – UK legislation 

Provides automatic copyright protection for written research outputs, including academic publications and software. Copyright does not protect ideas, facts or scientific methods. 

International research risk and security 

Trusted Research – National Protective Security Authority (NPSA), UK Research and Innovation and Universities UK 

Guidance, tools and resources to help universities and research organisations identify and manage risks associated with international research collaboration, including people, data and intellectual property. 

Secure Innovation – National Protective Security Authority 

Guidance for start‑ups, spin‑outs and small and medium‑sized enterprises to help protect innovation, including emerging technologies, from security‑related risks. 

Research Collaboration Advice Team (RCAT) – UK Government 

Provides confidential advice to research organisations on potential national security risks linked to international research collaboration. 

National Security and Investment Act 2021: guidance on acquisitions – Cabinet Office 

Explains how the Act applies to acquisitions and arrangements, including those involving intellectual property and research‑related assets. 

Technology transfer and confidentiality 

UK Government Licensing Framework – Government Office for Technology Transfer 

Guidance on licensing and transferring technology and intellectual property to and from UK government. 

Guide to Managing Intellectual Property and Confidentiality  – Government Office for Technology Transfer 

Explains the basics of intellectual property ownership, protection and commercialisation, and how to manage confidentiality in public sector contexts. 

Spin‑outs and commercialisation 

WIPO Institutional IP Policies Database – World Intellectual Property Organization 

A collection of intellectual property policies, manuals and model agreements from universities and research institutions worldwide. 

University spin‑out best practice and implementation – Department for Science, Innovation and Technology 

Includes guidance and resources supporting best practice in university spin‑outs and commercialisation of research. 

Provides a dataset showing how research‑generated intellectual property from universities is translated into commercial activity. 

Further resources: IP management

IP for Research Fundamentals Toolkit is designed to help early career researchers and PhD students to develop their understanding and knowledge on IP and wider knowledge assets

International IP Service provides guidance to help companies and researchers collaborate, export, and invest overseas.

The Patents Act 1977 sets out the requirements for patent applications, how the patent-granting process should operate, and the law relating to disputes concerning patents. It also sets out how UK law relates to the European Patent Convention and the Patent Co-operation Treaty.

The National Security & Investments Act 2021 (NS&I Act) gives the government powers to scrutinise and intervene in business transactions, such as takeovers, to protect national security.

The National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) has a range of guidance available for the UK’s higher education and research sector. The Trusted Research campaign has products and tools to help to raise awareness of the potential risks of international collaboration and guidance to support secure research and encourage good security behaviours.

NPSA has also developed guidance for the emerging tech sector, start-ups and spin outs via the Secure Innovation campaign to help SMEs to protect their innovation.

Guidance is available on how the UK’s strategic export controls apply to academics, university researchers and their institutions, and when an export licence is needed.

The Higher Education Export Controls Association hosts a range of information and guidance on Higher Education Export Controls Association, and wider resources.

Guidance for Research Organisations provides information on due diligence requirements when undertaking research or doctoral training provision in partnership with overseas research organisations.

Guidance on the steps to research commercialisation.  

The National Protective Security Authority, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and Universities UK guidance on Managing Risks in International Research.

The Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) provides information on the knowledge exchange activities of higher education providers in England.  

The Guide to Managing Intellectual Property and Confidentiality developed by the Government Office for Technology Transfer explains the basics of IP including how it is owned, protected and can be commercialised. It also outlines when and how to maintain confidentiality as well as responsibilities of civil and public servants.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s guidance on Regulations: Nagoya Protocol on access and benefit sharing (ABS) supports those conducting research and development on genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge.

The World Intellectual Property Organization Institutional IP Policies Database contains IP policies, manuals and model agreements from universities and research institutions worldwide.

The USIT Guide aims to support the way that the Higher Education sector spins out new companies that take advantage of research breakthroughs.

The Spin-outs review implementation: best practice adoption list is a list of UK higher education providers that have voluntarily adopted the best practice policies for spin-out deal terms - as highlighted in the November 2023 Independent Review of University Spin-out Companies.

The UK university spin-out register supporting the understanding of and how to support innovation emerging from higher education. The register offers a comprehensive and dynamic view of every active spin-out company across the country.

The Deep Tech Finder developed by the European Patent Office enables you to search and filter European universities, public research organisations and their spin-outs, and explore their European patent applications, European patents and related patent data.

The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) are the professional and examining body for patent attorneys in the UK, promoting their status and influence and providing resources for their lifelong professional development.

The Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (CITMA) is a professional membership organisation with the power to shape law and practice - nationally and internationally.

Knowledge Exchange UK (KEUK) is the professional association for Knowledge Exchange (KE) practitioners in the UK. Their members specialise in managing IP commercialisation, fostering collaboration, and facilitating engagement between researchers and external partners to drive innovation, enhance productivity, and deliver social and economic benefits. Resources are available to keep members informed and to excel in knowledge exchange.

Universities UK (UUK) works with vice-chancellors and principals of UK universities, government and stakeholders to continue improving the UK’s higher education sector. UUK publishes newsletters, podcasts, analysis and highlights events from across the sector.

National Centre for University and Business (NCUB) brings together universities and businesses to connect, engage and develop closer cross-sector working relationships.

Association of Research Managers and Administrators (ARMA) is the professional association for research management in the UK. Representing research leaders, managers and administrators, offering professional development and opportunities to build networks, knowledge and skills.

Glossary of terms

This glossary explains the terms used throughout the Knowledge Asset Management (KAM) guide. It lists the terms in alphabetical order, followed by a brief explanation.

Copyright

A legal right that protects original literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works, films, sound recordings, broadcasts and typographical arrangements. Copyright protection is automatic and does not require registration.

Crown copyright

Copyright that applies to works created by officers or servants of the Crown in the course of their duties. Most Crown copyright material may be reused under the Open Government Licence, unless stated otherwise.

Open Government Licence (OGL)

A licence that allows the reuse of public sector information free of charge, subject to conditions such as attribution of the source.

Creative Commons licence

A set of standardised licences that enable creators to communicate which rights they reserve and which rights they waive for the benefit of reuse by others.

Database

A collection of independent works, data or other materials arranged in a systematic or methodical way and individually accessible by electronic or other means.

Database right

An automatic intellectual property right that protects a database where there has been substantial investment in obtaining, verifying or presenting its contents. Distinct from copyright in databases.

Design right (UK unregistered)

An automatic UK right protecting the shape or configuration of three‑dimensional objects, for up to 15 years, subject to a licence of right in the final years.

Supplementary unregistered design right

A UK right that protects the appearance (2D and 3D) of a design for three years from first disclosure in the UK.

Unregistered trade mark

A sign used in trade that has not been registered but may be protected under common law through the action of passing off, based on goodwill and misrepresentation.

Trade secret

Information that is secret, has commercial value because it is secret, and has been subject to reasonable steps to keep it secret.

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Legislation that gives the public a right of access to information held by public authorities, subject to exemptions.

UK GDPR

The UK’s data protection framework governing the processing of personal data, alongside the Data Protection Act 2018.

Data Protection Officer (DPO)

A role required under data protection law in certain organisations, responsible for advising on and monitoring compliance with data protection obligations.

Export controls

Laws regulating the export and transfer of military and dual‑use goods, software and technology, including technical information and knowledge.

Dual‑use items

Goods, software or technology that can be used for both civil and military purposes and are subject to export control.

Freedom to operate (FTO)

An assessment of whether a product, process or service can be developed, used or commercialised without infringing existing intellectual property rights held by others.

Invention disclosure

A confidential document used by organisations to capture details of a new invention so that its ownership, patentability and commercial potential can be assessed.

Principal Investigator (PI)

The individual responsible for the intellectual leadership and overall management of a research project. Under UKRI systems this role is often referred to as “Project Lead”.

Spin‑out

A start‑up company created to commercialise intellectual property generated by a university or public sector research organisation.

Start‑up

A newly established business created to develop and scale products or services, often based on innovation or new intellectual property. (No single statutory UK definition.)

Return on investment (ROI)

A measure used to assess the value of an investment by comparing its costs with its returns; the meaning and metrics vary by context.

Technology Readiness Level (TRL)

A scale used to assess the maturity of a technology, ranging from basic principles observed to system proven in operational use.

Protection of Freedoms Act 2012

UK legislation that strengthened civil liberties by reforming areas such as biometric data retention, surveillance, and freedom of information.