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As the need of cost sharing and risk sharing in research activities of new technology increases, the need for a joint research also increases. However, a joint research has many demerits as well, such as disclosure of technical informations and complex decision-making mechanism. Each party must pay special attention on drafting a well-considered joint research agreement (JSR). Especially a successful joint research inevitably gives birth to an invention. The invention and relevant patent-related rights may bring out many complex legal disputes. Therefore a good JSR must in advance address such possibilities of legal disputes. This paper introduces general concepts of a JSR and then tries to explain typical provisions of a JSR. Especially this paper focuses on patent-related provisions of a JSR. An invention created by a JSR is, without a contrary provision, jointly owned by two parties. Because the joint ownership of an invention may lead to unpredicted complex legal relationship, both parties must agree on some important aspects of the joint ownership before signing the JSR. This paper introduces some alternative provisions related to patent rights which are acceptable to both parties. A well balanced JSR may minimize possibilities of future disputes between both parties and further maximize research capabilities of them.