W. Va. Code § 18-11-24
In order to promote technical scientific investigation, research, experimentation and education, and to encourage the development of patentable inventions by members of the faculty, associates and employees of the university, the board of governors is hereby authorized to contract with any research foundation, firm, individual or agency for the procurement of patents on such inventions. The compensation of the research foundation, firm, individual or agency shall be limited to a share of the income from such patents, and the contract shall provide for the payment of part of the income to the university and part to the member of the faculty, associate or employee who developed the invention.
All moneys received by the university under any such contract shall be paid into a special research fund, which is hereby created in the state treasury, and shall be expended only for the furtherance of a university program of general scientific research, through payments for personal services, for the purchase of equipment and supplies, and for other expenses necessarily incident to such a program.
W. Va. Code § 18-11-24