Intellectual Property
For the purpose of this policy, “intellectual property” is considered to be creations of the mind in their expressed form such as music, art, poetry, electronic software and/or hardware, computer systems, instructional formats, etc. The term “intellectual property” reflects the idea that this subject matter is the product of the mind or the intellect, and that “intellectual property” rights may be protected at law in the same way as any other form of property.
Limestone University encourages and supports scholarship and research, technical and creative efforts, artistic or literary works, and other academic and service activities and products, new written materials, and many other expressions of research, creativity, and scholarly activity. These works often involve the rights and rewards of ownership, as well as responsibilities and a need for protection during development; these concerns affect the individuals involved, as well as the University as a legal entity.
The following are the guiding principles of this policy:
- The University encourages the discovery and development of original works and dissemination of knowledge as part of its academic mission.
- The University recognizes that the development of original works and the rights to, benefits from, and responsibilities for these works may arise from a variety of efforts.
- The University recognizes that ownership and benefit from intellectual property may be multifaceted and strives to ensure appropriate benefits to all contributors.
Faculty
A faculty member who creates any form of intellectual property shall be the sole owner of that property, except when the faculty member and Limestone University enter into a specific agreement to share ownership of a specific intellectual property. When the University provides designated funds, facilities, or other support for the creation of the property, the University will become the owner unless there is an agreement to share ownership.
Students
In the case of intellectual property created by a student, the student shall be the sole owner of the property unless that property was created under contract to the University or the University provided designated funds, facilities or other support for the creation of the property. In such cases, specific agreements between the University and the student will determine the nature of ownership of the property.
Staff
In the case of intellectual property created by a staff member, the ownership of the property will be held by Limestone University when that property was created as part of the contractual obligations of the staff member. In cases where the property was created as a result of activities external to the contract or when the University has provided designated funds, facilities or other support for the creation of the property for activities external to the contract, ownership of the property shall be determined by specific agreement between the staff member and the University.