Student IP
The University’s Intellectual Property Policy provides that the University owns some but not all IP arising from work which is undertaken by students.
It is clearly of the utmost importance that the University must be able to protect its intellectual assets – in particular its research activities. For this reason it is vital that a student’s contribution to research led by staff and/or which arises in connection with a sponsored studentship agreement or sponsored research programme (for which the University receives funding or other benefits) should be regarded as part of the University’s intellectual assets and that it should be used and disseminated only in accordance with the University’s strategy as determined by the Academic supervisors. Where a student (whether a PhD or undergraduate) makes an inventive contribution to IP which is later the subject of commercialisation generating revenues to the University, then he/she will be entitled to a revenue share under the University’s IP Policy, as agreed with his/her supervisor.
The University also owns IP in circumstances where the IP, devised by the student, is generated in connection with arrangements made between the University and another party (typically a commercial company) where that other party makes work experience opportunities available for the student; or where there is a formal placement arrangement; or the student is working on a project for that commercial party. Our arrangements with Industrial Collaborators of this type are highly valued and the purpose of the University owning IP in these circumstances is so that the University is able to assign to the Company in question any IP which the student generates (having reserved legitimate rights such as thesis examination and research rights (which will vary depending on the circumstances)).
The University might on occasion be subject to certain obligations in respect of IP where this is generated as a result of the use of specific equipment (perhaps purchased or lent by a commercial entity) and in such circumstances any use by students would have to comply with such obligations.
In circumstances other than those described in paragraph 22.3(b) of the IP Policy the student owns the IP. But where the IP is generated in the course of studies or using the University facilities (other than the computer network) the University can use such IP for further research. In addition even in circumstances where the University owns IP generated by students, such students will benefit from the rights of staff and students to copyright in scholarly output (such as academic publications) as described at paragraph 22.3(e) of the IP Policy.