Intellectual Property (IP) is information, ideas and inventions in a tangible form. There are numerous types of IP, most of which are protected automatically, or can be protected through an examination process. Prior use or disclosure of an invention will invalidate a patent application. If an idea may have commercial value and could be patentable always discuss under a Confidentiality Agreement. On collaborative projects always agree in writing who will own any IP arising from the collaboration before commercialisation.
The Intellectual Property Office have designed some helpful tools to understand and manage Intellectual Property effectively.
You can view the University’s IP policy here: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/staffnet/research/IP_policy.php but there are often exceptions to the rule so its worth emailing us to ask for further information. We also have a partnership with an IP lawyers office who can give free advice to Univerity of Aberdeen students and ABVenture Zone residents.