The IP4OS Synergy Framework: reconciling intellectual property and open science
The European research and innovation landscape demands robust strategies for knowledge valorisation, aiming to translate scientific outputs into economic and societal benefits. This dual objective requires aligning Intellectual Property protection with the principles of Open Science, often perceived as conflicting forces.
The IP4OS project is addressing this fundamental tension through the development of the Synergy Framework. Its core mission is to operationalise the principle of “as open as possible, as closed as necessary” by mapping and formalising the relationship between IP and OS.
A rigorous, evidence-based foundation
The Synergy Framework is co-created through a rigorous, three-strand methodological approach, ensuring its recommendations are grounded in both academic insight and practitioner experience.
Scoping review
A comprehensive review of academic literature was conducted to trace precisely where OS and IP converge or conflict, identifying existing mechanisms for reconciliation.
Stakeholder survey
A cross-sectional survey collected perceptions from researchers, technology transfer offices, research managers, and policy actors across Europe, confirming perceptions of complementarity but highlighting practical barriers.
Expert engagement
This involved dialogues and webinars with legal scholars, IP professionals, and OS practitioners, who presented real-world cases and agreed upon criteria for identifying ‘fit-for-purpose’ IP tools.
Key findings driving the framework
Although stakeholders expressed widespread optimism that IP and OS can be complementary (82 per cent of survey respondents agreed this synergy is possible), the practical implementation remains limited.
Our research identified several critical barriers that hinder effective alignment:
- Knowledge gaps A lack of awareness and understanding of how to implement integrated IP–OS approaches was rated as the most significant obstacle.
- Misalignment of goals Differing objectives among collaborators, particularly in multi-partner projects involving industry and academia, complicate coordination.
- Legal uncertainty and complexity Fragmentation in national legal frameworks and confusing licensing terms impede cross-border collaboration and reuse.
- Incompatible timescales Conflicts arise when the necessity for rapid publication clashes with the time required for patent filing, forcing researchers to make difficult choices.
Practical pathways for alignment
The forthcoming Synergy Framework will address the gaps and barriers identified by providing clear recommendations and identifying fitting and non-fitting tools and offering concrete recommendations designed to empower multi-professional teams and their organisations: