In this follow-up to our proposals episode, I sit down with Juan Luis Rodríguez Quintero (RTDS Group) to focus on IP during project implementation: why the consortium agreement is the real operating manual, how to make Attachment 1 (background) specific and transparent, and how access rights for implementation and exploitation work in practice. We look at the day-to-day issues teams face—publications vs patent timing, defining active contribution when multiple partners co-create results, and the role of an IP manager in documenting contributions and expectations as the project evolves.

We also cover typical flashpoints and how to avoid them: unclear background licensing, partners leaving or even bankruptcy, joint ownership without a plan, and disputes that escalate to mediation/arbitration. Juan shares concrete good practice—run IP check-ins, log contributions, assess novelty/commerciality before fighting, and negotiate post-project access under fair and reasonable conditions early. The goal: protect value without blocking dissemination, and turn a collaborative framework into sustainable deals after the grant ends.

Time codes:

00:01:41 Introduction

00:03:21 Fly in

00:05:48 The starting point: Consortium Agreement

00:19:39 IP in real-life-implementation

00:28:15 Conflict points and case examples