The Intellectual Property Management office at the University of Umm Al-Qura has completed registering 40 patents with the US Patent Office, out of a total of 355 patents received by the office within a year of its inception.

The General Supervisor of the Intellectual Property Management office, Fawaz bin Ahmed Saad, said the number of patent applications submitted to the office is increasing, thus reflecting the ability of the university students and researchers in innovation and invention, and in creating a variety of innovative ideas.

Saad said in a press statement that the office offers free registration of patents for faculty members, students, and members of the community, relying on an integrated and interactive system that consists of a creative component, a legal component and a commercial component. Through this system, he said the office helps turn inventions into products with economic value and achieve optimal investment.

The office aims to provide services for the preparation and registration of patents, provide assessment services for the technical and marketing evaluation of the patent, as well as develop skills of invention by conducting research studies on issues related to the protection and management of intellectual property, he added. Such services aim to spread a culture of intellectual property and patent rights between researchers and the university students.

The office also works on simplifying the registration process for patents through its specific electronic system. It offers rewards to encourage inventors after the registration and the issuance of patents.

Saad urged all students and employees of the university to apply for registering patents of their creative ideas and scientific research through the official website.