6 Sutton Park Road, Sutton, SM1 2GD
Student Intellectual Property Policy
Policy Statement
The School is committed to fostering a supportive and equitable environment for intellectual property (IP) creation and management. Our Student Intellectual Property Policy ensures that IP rights are clearly defined, respecting the contributions of students while promoting fairness. The policy outlines IP ownership, licensing procedures, disclosure requirements, and conflict of interest guidelines, balancing innovation with transparency and fairness.
Principles
- Ownership: Clarifying the ownership of intellectual property created by students.
- Fairness: Ensuring fair treatment of all parties involved in the creation and use of intellectual property.
- Transparency: Providing clear information and guidelines on IP rights and processes.
- Respect: Valuing and respecting the intellectual contributions of students.
- Innovation: Encouraging and supporting student innovation and creativity.
- Collaboration: Promoting collaborative endeavours while protecting individual IP rights.
- Recognition: Acknowledging and crediting student contributions to IP.
- Equity: Applying the policy equitably across all disciplines and forms of IP.
- Education: Educating students about IP rights and responsibilities.
- Ethics: Maintaining ethical standards in the management and use of student IP.
- Protection: Safeguarding the IP of students against unauthorised use.
- Encouragement: Inspiring students to engage in activities that may lead to the creation of IP.
Regulatory Context
This Policy has been developed in line with the applicable laws, regulations, regulatory advice, and sector best practices, including the following:
How do IP Rights Arise
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Advice
Arising of Intellectual Property Rights Intellectual property (IP) rights arise in several ways, including:
This rule ensures that IP rights are recognised whether they arise automatically from creation or through formal registration, covering all potential methods of establishing IP rights. |
Understanding Intellectual Property
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Definition
Definition of Intellectual Property Intellectual property (IP) refers to the outcomes of your creative and intellectual work, including:
This definition encompasses all forms of IP resulting from your innovation and creativity, ensuring clarity on what constitutes IP for the purposes of this policy. |
Disclosure of Conflicts Pertaining to Intellectual Property
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Rule
Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest All conflicts of interest that could impact the commercial or other value of intellectual property (IP) must be disclosed by relevant parties as soon as possible. This rule ensures that any potential conflicts affecting the value of IP are identified and reported promptly, maintaining transparency and protecting the integrity of IP management. |
Safeguarding and Confidentiality of Intellectual Property
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Rule
Protection and Confidentiality of Intellectual Property The School and students must not engage in any actions that undermine the intellectual property (IP), including patents, commercial value, or trade secrets. They must also agree to keep all related matters confidential. This rule ensures the protection of IP and its associated value by preventing actions that could harm its integrity or commercial potential, while maintaining confidentiality. |
Requirements for Recording and Reporting Intellectual Property
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Rule
Recording and Disclosing Intellectual Property All intellectual property (IP) arising under this section must be recorded and disclosed to the School promptly. This rule ensures that the School is informed of all IP developments in a timely manner, maintaining transparency and allowing the School to manage and protect its interests effectively. |
Resolution of Intellectual Property Disputes
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Rule
Resolving Disputes Over Intellectual Property Ownership In case of a dispute over intellectual property (IP) ownership, students should first follow the complaints process outlined in the School’s regulations and policies. If internal complaints channels are exhausted, both parties must submit the matter to mediation by a mediator appointed by the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR). This rule ensures that disputes over IP ownership are resolved through the School's internal procedures first and, if necessary, through external mediation, providing a structured approach to dispute resolution. |
Student Intellectual Property Ownership and Exceptions
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Rule
Student Ownership of Intellectual Property The assumption is that students will own any intellectual property (IP) created during their time at the School, except in the following cases:
This rule clarifies that students generally retain ownership of IP they create, with specific exceptions where the School may claim ownership due to significant use of resources, funding, or formal agreements. |
Intellectual Property Licensing Arrangements
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Rule
Use of Intellectual Property Owned by the School When intellectual property (IP) rights vest in the School, the School has the rights to use, control, license, and commercialise the IP. The student is granted a worldwide licence to copy, adapt, make available, or otherwise use the IP solely for non-commercial purposes. This rule ensures that the School can fully exploit and manage IP it owns while providing students with a global licence to use the IP for non-commercial activities, clarifying the scope of permitted use. |
Rule
Use of Intellectual Property Owned by Students When intellectual property (IP) rights vest in the student, the student may use, control, license, and commercialise the IP. The student must grant the School a royalty-free, worldwide licence to copy, adapt, make available, or otherwise use the IP for any School-related business. This rule allows students to fully manage their IP while ensuring the School has a free, global licence to use the IP for its business purposes, balancing student ownership with the School’s operational needs. |
Metrics and KPIs
The following metrics will be measured and regularly reviewed as key performance indicators for the School to ensure the effectiveness of this policy and associated operations.
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IP Ownership Clarity
Percentage of students who understand their IP ownership rights, measured by annual survey results, with a target of 90% clarity by the end of the academic year. Ensures that students are well-informed about their rights, which helps in preventing disputes and aligns with the policy’s aim of clarity and fairness. |
Number of IP Policy Queries Resolved
Number of queries or concerns related to the IP policy resolved by the support team, with a target of 95% resolved within 10 business days. Ensures that all questions about the IP policy are addressed promptly, maintaining clarity and support for all stakeholders. |
Resolution Rate of IP Conflicts
Percentage of IP conflict cases resolved within the stipulated timeframe. Measures the efficiency of conflict resolution processes, supporting the policy’s goal of fair and prompt resolution. |
Student Satisfaction with IP Management
Percentage of students satisfied with the IP management process, as measured by annual surveys, with a target of 90% satisfaction. Measures how well the policy meets students' needs and expectations, reflecting its effectiveness in creating a supportive environment. |