Patents & Copyrights
Ownership
of patents
relating to
UROP students'
inventions
(including
computer software
inventions)
and of copyrights
in original
computer software
that UROP
students author
are treated
differently
depending
on whether
the student's
work takes
place at the
Institute
or off-campus
at a sponsor's
facility.
For UROP
work on-campus,
the student
owns all intellectual
property,
except where
the invention
is subject
to the terms
of a sponsored
research agreement
or where the
UROP student
has made significant
use of Institute-administered
funds, space,
or facilities.
In such cases,
the property
is usually
be owned by
the Institute.
In the event
that MIT takes
title, the
student inventor
will receive
a share of
MIT's royalties.
When UROP
work is done
off-campus
at a sponsor's
facilities,
invention
ownership
rights are
disposed of
in accordance
with the terms
of the applicable
agreement.
Off-campus
agreements
may provide
that ownership
of inventions
resides with
the sponsor.
UROP students
generally
own the copyrights
of original
material they
author (other
than computer
software).
Copyrights
of original
material authored
by UROP students
working at
a sponsor's
facilities
will be disposed
of in accordance
with the terms
of the applicable
agreement.
It is MIT
policy that
agreements
governing
intellectual
property created
by UROP students
should explicitly
give ownership
of original
material (other
than computer
software)
authored by
UROP students
to the student
where there
is no conflict
with other
faculty or
institutional
obligations
or program
requirements.
Patenting
an Invention
There are
a number of
routes open
to those interested
in patenting
an invention.
You may, subject
to the limitations
otherwise
found in this
policy statement,
retain ownership
and pay the
legal costs
yourself,
or you may
choose to
relinquish
ownership
to MIT through
the Technology
Licensing
Office (TLO),
which will
undertake
the patenting
costs and
attempt to
license the
invention.
As an inventor,
you will be
entitled to
receive one
third of the
net royalties.
Sometimes
special arrangements
can be made
that permit
MIT inventors
to work with
students at
the Franklin
Pierce Law
Center to
pursue patent
protection
and licensing
as a co-venture.
UROPers interested
in patents,
confidentiality,
and copyright
issues may
wish to consult
the TLO publication, Guide
to the Ownership,
Distribution
and Commercial
Development
of MIT Technology, available
online, and
consult with
TLO at NE25-230,
x3-6966.
Publishing
Research Articles
It is not uncommon
for UROPers
to contribute
to research
articles. If
you plan to
publish an article
about your UROP
research, or
discuss your
research with
a journalist,
you must get
prior approval
from your faculty
supervisor.
For more information,
contact UROP
staff in Room
7-104. |
