An invention may begin in a laboratory or research project, but its journey towards impact can be compromised if it is not disclosed early enough to allow appropriate intellectual property assessment and protection.
This was the message from Teresiah Malatji, senior manager for intellectual property and contracts at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Technology Transfer and Innovation Support (TTIS) office, who hosted a Women in Innovation webinar.
Themed “Unlock the value of invention disclosure”, the webinar aimed to help researchers turn their ideas into protected intellectual property and potential commercial opportunities.
The event took place on 18 August 2026 and formed part of activities marking Women’s Month and placed the spotlight on women’s contribution to research, innovation and the development of intellectual property (IP).
Teresiah also encouraged men to take part in recognising women innovators and to help create environments in which women researchers can develop their ideas.
“Women are making important contributions within the research and innovation environment, and we need to recognise those contributions while creating spaces that enable them to participate and succeed,” said Teresiah.
Having recently joined the NWU, Teresiah introduced participants to her role in managing and protecting intellectual property arising from university research and innovation. She brings experience in intellectual property protection and commercialisation, enterprise development and business incubation.
A key focus of the webinar was invention disclosure and why researchers should disclose potential inventions to TTIS before making their work public.
Teresiah explained that invention disclosure enables TTIS to assess research outputs for possible intellectual property protection and commercial potential. It also forms part of the university’s processes for managing intellectual property arising from publicly financed research and ensuring compliance with South Africa’s Intellectual Property Rights from Publicly Financed Research and Development Act.
Researchers who disclose their inventions can receive feedback from TTIS and access support that includes intellectual property advisory services; IP evaluation and protection; research and commercialisation contracts advisory services; funding support and guidance, commercialisation support and guidance; and advice on relevant legal and regulatory assistance.
Failure to disclose an invention, she said, can result in researchers losing opportunities to protect intellectual property, particularly where research findings are made public before the appropriate protection process has started. It may also affect future commercialisation opportunities.
Teresiah took participants through the evaluation process, beginning with a preliminary assessment before an invention is considered through the relevant invention disclosure structures. Factors considered include the nature of the invention, its potential for intellectual property protection and its prospects for further development and commercialisation.
She also outlined possible pathways towards commercialisation, including intellectual property protection, licensing and joint ventures.
The process, she said, requires researchers and TTIS to work together from the early stages of an invention. Proper documentation and compliance with legal, regulatory and contractual requirements are also important when determining whether intellectual property can be protected and taken to market.
“Researchers should disclose their inventions as early as possible. Early disclosure allows us to assess the invention, identify possible protection strategies and work with the researcher on the path towards commercialisation,” said Teresiah.
Through the webinar, TTIS encouraged researchers to view invention disclosure not simply as an administrative requirement, but as a first step towards protecting research outputs and exploring how university-generated knowledge can create value beyond the research environment.
Teresiah Malatji, senior manager for intellectual property and contracts at the Technology Transfer and Innovation Support office, presented the women in innovation webinar.
