Intellectual Property Policy

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 by 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, 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, responsibilities, and a need for protection during development; these concerns affect the individuals involved and the University as a legal entity.

The following are the guiding principles of this policy:

1. The University encourages discovering and developing original works and the dissemination of knowledge as part of its academic mission.
2. The University recognizes that the development of original works and the rights to, benefits from, and responsibilities for these works may arise from various efforts.
3. 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 written agreement to share ownership of a specific intellectual property. When the University provides designated funds, facilities, or other support for creating the property, the University will become the sole owner unless there is a written 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, written 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 sole 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 written agreement between the staff member and the University.