What is Intellectual Property (IP)?
Intellectual property refers to creative works such as:
- Ideas, Discoveries, Inventions, Processes
- Know-how & Show-how
- Original data
- Artistic and Creative works
- Copyrightable works
These works are represented in some tangible form such as:
- Plans & records of research
- Computer programs
- Models, Machines, Devices, Apparatus, Instrumentation, Circuits
- Chemicals or Biological materials
- Novels and other publications
- Video & Sound recordings
and are protected by federal law under one or more of the following:
- Registered or Unregistered Copyright
- Registered or Unregistered Trademark
- Trade secret
[Source: Understanding Intellectual Property ]
Data, Copyright, and Intellectual Property
Data is essentially factual information and cannot be copyrighted. However, data that is collected, collated, or manipulated using significant investment of time or resources may represent an original expression of the data and may be considered copyrightable intellectual property. In general, the University owns all copyrighted works as part of a grant or contract as well as works created as an employment duty or responsibility.
Who owns Intellectual Property at the University?
“The University is the owner of all software, copyrightable works and inventions (intellectual property) created by employees in the performance of employment with the University, or created with University resources or funds controlled by the University, with the exception of copyrights in traditional academic works such as scholarly publications and course notes .“
General Rules, as promulgated by the Board of Trustees eff. Sept. 3, 1998 (“General Rules”), Article III, Section 4.