Employee Invention Report (EIR)
What is an EIR?
Whenever CDC/ATSDR employees develop new products or processes which improve public health, they should report this to the Agency. The employee invention report is the CDC/ATSDR form used to file this report with the Technology Transfer Office (TTO).
Where do I find the EIR?
Request an electronic copy from TTO, your Technology Development Coordinator or download a copy from the TTO intranet site.
Whenever you have knowledge or technology that may be useful as a new product or process. It is best to file an EIR prior to publication or presentation of data describing the development.
Who do I send it to?
TTO (mailstop K79) with a concurrent copy to the Technology Development Coordinator (TDC) of your CIO. If you are unsure who your TDC is then contact TTO (tto@cdc.gov).
What happens to my EIR after I submit it?
Your EIR will be assigned to a patent advisor who will evaluate it for patentability and marketability. After consultation with the inventor, the patent advisor will decide whether or not a patent application should be filed.
Does filing an EIR provide any protection for my invention?
NO! Filing an EIR is a CDC process only, do not assume it is okay to publish or distribute your invention just because you have submitted an EIR.
When can I present the data or share materials described in my EIR?
The safest course of action is to not publish or present data or share materials until a decision is made not to file a patent application or a patent application is filed. If you have published, presented or distributed materials prior to the submission of your EIR, make sure that the patent advisor is aware of this and receives a copy of any written documentation. If you feel it is necessary to publish or present data or share materials before a patent application is filed, contact the patent advisor for more information.
What if my EIR describes materials I received from a collaborator?
Make sure the patent advisor is aware of this and has a copy of any written documentation.
What if my EIR describes materials developed under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA)?
Make sure the patent advisor knows this and make sure your CRADA partner knows you have filed an EIR. CRADA partners have a legal interest in CRADA related inventions which must be addressed by the TTO.
