3-Minute Read | University of Utah IP-Free Zone
April 7, 2026—As universities and industry partners explore ways to better align collaboration structures with evolving company needs, traditional intellectual property (IP) frameworks are increasingly being tested. While exclusive licenses and negotiated IP rights remain common, some partnerships are experimenting with alternative IP models designed to reduce early negotiation friction and support faster collaboration. One recent example, the University of Utah’s first IP-Free Zone agreement, illustrates how a member institution is expanding its IP toolkit to better align sponsored research structures with evolving industry needs.
In November 2025, the university announced an IP-Free Zone partnership with Dayamed, a digital health company focused on data-enabled clinical services. Although IP-free arrangements are not new in higher education, this initiative marks the University of Utah’s first and reflects a deliberate effort to align IP terms early in the process to support efficient project execution and translational impact.
“At the University of Utah, we work closely with our industry partners to understand their business models and structure agreements that align with shared objectives,” said Eric Paulson, Director of Contracts. “In this case, the IP-Free Zone approach reflected Dayamed’s preferences and the defined scope of work. It’s one of several partnership models we may consider depending on the context.”
How the IP-Free Zone Works
Under the arrangement, Dayamed retains ownership of any intellectual property generated through the sponsored research, while the University receives an upfront equity position in the company. The structure was developed in response to Dayamed’s preference to retain ownership of IP generated within the defined scope of work. Under this defined agreement, the University does not seek patent ownership or licensing rights for inventions arising within the agreed scope of work. University officials emphasized that this model is not intended to replace traditional sponsored research or licensing approaches, but rather to complement them when circumstances warrant.
Research Context and Scope
The University’s Data Coordinating Center will lead the research in collaboration with Dayamed. Initial projects will focus on medication adherence, clinical service optimization, and real-time data analytics, with an emphasis on conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Plans to expand this work into additional clinical areas may follow as the partnership matures.
Broader IP Trends
The Utah–Dayamed arrangement reflects recurring themes in university-industry engagement. UIDP resources listed below in the “Go Deeper” section note that one-size-fits-all IP approaches can slow collaboration, particularly in early-stage, data-driven, or precompetitive research. In these cases, flexibility around ownership and control may better align incentives and reduce delays. By clearly assigning ownership from the outset, the IP-Free Zone model provides clarity around ownership from the outset.
Why it Matters
The University of Utah’s IP-Free Zone agreement illustrates how institutions are experimenting with new approaches to balance speed, clarity, and risk in sponsored research. Rather than signaling a shift away from traditional IP models, the initiative underscores the value of having multiple options available, each matched to the nature of the research, the technology maturity, and the goals of the partners involved.
University of Utah officials noted that the IP-Free Zone model was selected based on the specific needs of this partnership and reflects Utah’s broader commitment to working collaboratively with companies to structure agreements that support shared goals. For universities evaluating how to expand their IP management toolkits without abandoning traditional pathways, the Utah example demonstrates how purpose-specific alternatives can coexist within a broader portfolio approach.
Alternative IP agreements reflect several principles emphasized in UIDP’s Strengthen and Modernize Initiative (SAMI), including flexibility and alignment across partners. By clarifying IP expectations upfront, these models may reduce friction and support more efficient coordination of R&D activities, accelerating the creation of products and services that improve human lives.
As universities and companies continue to navigate complex collaboration landscapes, flexible IP structures will play an increasingly important role in enabling timely, effective partnerships, particularly when rapid iteration and real-world deployment are essential.
We want to hear from you. What research at your institution might benefit from greater flexibility in IP structure—and what safeguards would be essential? Share your thoughts and comments on our LinkedIn page.
Go Deeper
UIDP. (2020, January). Contract Accord 5: Background intellectual property.
UIDP. (2020, January). Contract Accord 6: Foreground intellectual property.
UIDP. (2024, July 16). Intellectual property concerns: Lessons learned from the researcher guidebook.
UIDP. (2024, December 10). Patents, protections, and partnerships: Navigating contemporary IP concerns.
UIDP. (2019). Public dedication of intellectual property quick guide.
UIDP. (2025, January 14). Rethinking IP: Adding flexibility to sponsored research agreements.
UIDP. (2023, April 10). The sticky part: International approaches to IP.
UIDP. (2023). Upfront IP Quick Guide.
University of Utah. (2025). U establishes first IP-free zone via partnership with Dayamed.
The 3-Minute Read is a UIDP member information piece and does not represent the opinions of our members or representatives. We welcome your comments on our LinkedIn profile.