Intellectual property (IP) deeds
IP and students, honorary appointees and visitors
Clause 14.1.3 of the University Intellectual Property Statute, which deals with the ownership of IP created by students, honorary appointees or visitors, states that:
“All rights (other than moral rights) to intellectual property created by any student, honorary appointee or visitor whilst engaged in an activity which is the subject of a specified agreement are owned by the University. All rights in relation to teaching material created by a student, honorary appointee or visitor are owned by the University. All other rights to intellectual property, including in relation to scholarly works, are owned by the student, honorary appointee or visitor to the extent to which that person created such works.”
Therefore in cases where a student, honorary or visitor is working on a project governed by the terms of an agreement with an external party (such as a research grant or contract), they have no IP to assign to the University.“All rights (other than moral rights) to intellectual property created by any student, honorary appointee or visitor whilst engaged in an activity which is the subject of a specified agreement are owned by the University. All rights in relation to teaching material created by a student, honorary appointee or visitor are owned by the University. All other rights to intellectual property, including in relation to scholarly works, are owned by the student, honorary appointee or visitor to the extent to which that person created such works.”
When is a Deed required?
IP deeds for students, honorary appointees or visitors are only required for agreements signed before 12 March 2007 (when the Statute came into effect), and are issued upon request. To request an IP Deed for a research contract, provide the Research Contracts Group with the following:- Name of student, honorary or visitor
- If the person is working as a student, visitor or honorary
- Project Title or Themis Agreement Number of the related contract
- Name of External Party (Sponsor)
- Name of the Principal Chief Investigator for the project