Template Guide
Invention Disclosure Form
An invention disclosure form captures new innovations the moment they emerge. It is the critical first step in deciding whether to patent, keep as a trade secret, or timestamp for blockchain-verified proof of priority.
What Is an Invention Disclosure Form and Why Does It Matter?
An invention disclosure form (IDF) is a standardised document that inventors use to report new innovations to their organisation. It captures the technical details, the inventors involved, the development timeline, and any prior art or public disclosures. Universities and corporations use IDFs to evaluate whether an invention should be patented, protected as a trade secret, or published. Without a structured disclosure process, valuable inventions slip through the cracks — unreported, unprotected, and eventually lost. The IDF also establishes a clear record of who invented what and when, which is essential for patent applications, trade secret claims, and resolving inventorship disputes.
Essential Components
Key Sections to Include
A comprehensive invention disclosure form should cover each of these areas.
Invention Title and Summary
A clear, descriptive title and a plain-language summary of what the invention is. This should be understandable by non-technical reviewers and should capture the essence of the innovation in 2-3 paragraphs.
Detailed Technical Description
A thorough description of how the invention works, including diagrams, flowcharts, formulas, or code snippets as appropriate. This section should be detailed enough to allow someone skilled in the field to understand and reproduce the invention.
Inventor Information
Full names, roles, and contributions of every person who contributed to the conception of the invention. Inventorship has specific legal meaning — include everyone who contributed to the inventive concept, not just those who built or tested it.
Development Timeline
Key dates including when the idea was first conceived, when development began, when prototypes were built, and when testing was completed. This timeline is critical for establishing priority and proving invention dates.
Prior Art and Existing Solutions
What existed before this invention? List known competitors, published research, existing products, and prior patents that are related. This helps evaluate patentability and positions the invention against the current state of the art.
Disclosure and Publication History
Record any prior disclosures: conference presentations, journal submissions, investor meetings, or conversations with third parties. In many jurisdictions, public disclosure starts a clock that limits patent filing options.
Commercial Potential
Assess the potential applications, target markets, competitive advantage, and estimated commercial value. This helps IP committees prioritise which inventions receive patent investment versus trade secret protection.
Recommended Protection Strategy
The inventor's recommendation on how to protect the invention: patent, trade secret, defensive publication, or blockchain timestamp. While the final decision rests with the IP committee, inventor input is valuable context.
Watch Out
Common Mistakes to Avoid
These pitfalls can undermine your IP protection even with the right template in place.
Submitting Too Late
Many inventors wait until development is complete before disclosing. By then, they may have already publicly presented the work, started a patent clock, or lost priority to a competitor. Disclose as early as the concept stage.
Incomplete Inventor Lists
Omitting co-inventors can invalidate a patent. Anyone who contributed to the inventive concept — even through a single conversation — may need to be listed. Getting inventorship wrong has serious legal consequences.
No Proof of Invention Date
Without independently verifiable evidence of when the invention was conceived, priority disputes become a matter of competing testimony. Internal records can be challenged; blockchain timestamps cannot.
Not Disclosing Prior Public Disclosures
Failing to report that you presented at a conference or published a pre-print can lead to invalid patent applications. Full transparency about prior disclosures is essential for accurate protection decisions.
Best Practices
How to Get It Right
Timestamp the Disclosure Immediately
As soon as the form is completed, create a blockchain-verified timestamp. This establishes an independently provable date for the invention that predates any patent filing, publication, or competitor claim.
Encourage Early and Often Disclosure
Create a culture where inventors disclose at the concept stage, not after development is complete. Provide simple forms, quick processes, and recognition for disclosures. The easier the process, the more inventions you capture.
Standardise the Form Across the Organisation
Use a single template across all departments and teams. This ensures consistent quality, makes review more efficient, and creates a uniform record that is easier to manage and search.
Connect Disclosures to Your Trade Secret Log
When an invention is designated as a trade secret rather than patented, create a corresponding entry in your trade secret log. Link the disclosure form to the log entry for a complete protection record.
How immut Helps
Establish Invention Priority From Day One
immut lets inventors timestamp their disclosure forms the moment they are completed, creating independently verifiable proof of the invention date that is admissible in courts worldwide.
Timestamp invention disclosure forms in 60 seconds to establish priority before patent filings
Prove the exact date an invention was conceived — not when it was filed or published
Create court-admissible evidence of inventorship and development timelines
Protect inventions designated as trade secrets with blockchain-verified timestamps instead of costly patents
Build a comprehensive, timestamped record of your entire innovation pipeline
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
When should an inventor submit a disclosure form?
As early as possible — ideally at the concept stage, before any development, testing, or public discussion. Early disclosure preserves all protection options and starts the timestamp record at the earliest possible date. Do not wait until the invention is fully developed.
Who decides whether to patent or keep as a trade secret?
Typically an IP committee or technology transfer office reviews the disclosure and decides the protection strategy based on commercial potential, patentability, competitive landscape, and cost. The inventor provides input but the organisation makes the final decision.
Can a disclosure form replace a patent application?
No. A disclosure form is an internal document that captures the invention. A patent application is a legal filing with specific requirements. However, a timestamped disclosure form can serve as an alternative to patents for inventions better protected as trade secrets.
What if I am unsure whether my idea is an invention?
Disclose it anyway. It is far better to submit a disclosure for something that turns out not to be patentable than to miss a genuine invention. The review committee can assess the idea; your job as an inventor is simply to report it.
How does blockchain timestamping complement invention disclosure?
Blockchain timestamps provide independently verifiable proof that the invention existed at a specific date and time. This is valuable for establishing priority in patent disputes, proving trade secret existence dates, and demonstrating to investors that your innovation pipeline has verified timelines.
Ready to Protect Your IP?
A good invention disclosure form is essential — but proving when it was created is just as important. immut gives you instant, blockchain-verified proof that stands up in court.