How IP rules work in FP7

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Grant agreement and consortium agreement
• 3. Access Rights, Background, Foreground
• 4. Ownership of Foreground
• 5. Protection, Use and Dissemination of Foreground

1. Introduction

This document provides a comprehensive overview of the general intellectual property (IP) regime applicable to projects funded under the (EC) Seventh Framework Programme for research and technological development (FP7). Detailed information on all the issues outlined below, as well as on specific IP rules applicable to certain categories of projects, will be found in the IPR-Helpdesk documents related to FP7.

2. Grant agreement and consortium agreement

There are two agreements that an entity signs to participate in an FP7 project: the grant agreement (always) and the consortium agreement (in most cases).
The grant agreement is signed between project beneficiaries and the European Commission and establishes the beneficiaries' rights and obligations towards the European Community and towards each other.
The consortium agreement is signed between the project participants or beneficiaries (the consortium) and implements the grant agreement, establishing provisions related mainly to consortium management, the distribution of the Community financial contribution and IP. The consortium agreement shall not contradict the grant agreement.

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