FOR INDUSTRY – Company Equipment Loan FAQs

What is the difference between a gift of equipment and a loan of equipment?: If the equipment is a gift, then Stanford owns the equipment. If the equipment is a loan, then the company owns title to the equipment, and permits use of the equipment at Stanford during the loan period. At the end of the loan, either the equipment is returned or the University has to make other arrangements with the equipment’s owner. In addition, a company lending equipment may restrict how the equipment can be used.
Who is responsible for the maintenance and insurance on the loaned equipment?: That depends upon the loan agreement between the company and Stanford. It‘s important to agree in advance who will provide and pay for delivery, service, installation, de-installation and related costs.
Can other researchers use equipment loaned to Stanford?: This depends on the terms of the loan agreement.
Can research funded by other companies be conducted on equipment loaned to Stanford?: This also depends on the terms of the agreement.
Can a company get rights to intellectual property created using the loaned equipment?: No. Stanford does not grant the lender rights to inventions created with the equipment. There are many reasons. Offering the lender such rights may conflict with rights granted to the entity funding the research. Also, the University cannot readily track exactly who uses which pieces of equipment in their research projects.
What if the loaned equipment will be installed in the Stanford Hospital & Clinics or Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital?: The University does not have the authority to sign agreements on behalf of the hospitals and clinics. ICO will coordinate with the University’s Office of the General Counsel and the hospital to make sure that all parties can accept and abide by the terms of the agreement.