Separate your concerns. Don't throw away your PhD for a patent you may not end up getting anyway. That would be a tragic situation.
WRT to the patent, consult an IP attorney. IANAL, but I suspect their advice is going to be get your PhD, separate from the university, start a company, apply for the patent as part of that company. The university may, or may not, sue you for royalties. Ask your IP attorney now what that means - because obviously there are expenses to running a company and you shouldn't have to give up 60% of your income and pay your expenses from what's remaining.
Don't ask randos on the internet for legal advice. Take everything I've said with a grain of salt - you really need to see an IP attorney.
Thank you. I've consulted a few IP lawyers and I'll reach out to more. Its a dicey and expensive work to delve into, but I'll give it another shot.
Personally, I think it is ok to ask randos on the internet for legal advise. It's just another data point along the path of trying to figure this thing out. Thanks again.
WRT to the patent, consult an IP attorney. IANAL, but I suspect their advice is going to be get your PhD, separate from the university, start a company, apply for the patent as part of that company. The university may, or may not, sue you for royalties. Ask your IP attorney now what that means - because obviously there are expenses to running a company and you shouldn't have to give up 60% of your income and pay your expenses from what's remaining.
Don't ask randos on the internet for legal advice. Take everything I've said with a grain of salt - you really need to see an IP attorney.