Sometimes, when future participants prepare a proposal to be submitted to the Commission, they have to exchange information about their respective methods of work, scientific achievements, etc. Some of this information may be confidential and needs to be protected. Therefore, it may be necessary or advisable to sign a confidentiality agreement before initiating substantial negotiations regarding the proposal preparation and the future work. The IPR-Helpdesk has published a confidentiality agreement model that participants are free to download and use, making any necessary modifications.

• IPR-Helpdesk confidentiality agreement model

The protection sought will largely depend on the nature of the results (e.g. data, software, technical device, etc.). That will determine whether or not they are eligible for protection by an IP right and which form of protection should be applied for. For example, if the result is a technical device or a process that constitutes an invention, a patent may be sought. On the other hand, if the result is not an invention it might nevertheless be eligible for protection under other forms of IPR such as copyright (for example for software) and its commercialisation may be made under a trade mark. The decision to seek one form of protection or another one will largely depend in each specific case on the advantages and disadvantages in the business context, the marketing requirements and other related issues (e.g. involvement of partners, distribution network, licences, etc.).

• For more information see our document "General Overview of IP Protection Tools".