title: Proper laboratory notebook practices: protecting your intellectual property.
abstract: A laboratory notebook contains a wealth of knowledge that can be critical for establishing evidence in support of intellectual property rights and for refuting claims of research misconduct. The proper type, organization, use, maintenance, and storage of laboratory notebooks should be a priority for everyone at research institutions. Failure to properly document research activities can lead to serious problems, including the loss of valuable patent rights. Consequences of improper laboratory notebook practices can be harsh; numerous examples are described in court cases and journal articles, indicating a need for research institutions to develop strict policies on the proper use and storage of research documentation.
authors.affiliation: UNeMed Corporation, 986099 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6099, USA. jnickla@unmc.edu
authors.forename: Jason T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Nickla
authors.forename: Matthew B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Boehm
mesh_terms: D004282:Documentation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D018973:Intellectual Property; D007753:Laboratories / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000458:organization & administration; D010330:Patents as Topic / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D011996:Records / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards; D012106:Research / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000458:organization & administration