Protecting Your IP
Protecting Your IP
During the course of a research project, students may generate some novel work. This is known as Intellectual Property (IP).
Intellectual Property is the term used to describe the outputs of creative endeavour in literary, artistic, industrial, scientific and engineering fields that can be protected under legislation. In a university context this can be considered broadly as the results of research or creative projects.
Generating IP
As the generator of IP you are considered to be an ‘inventor’ or ‘creator’ and, have rights to the Intellectual Property. This is known as Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). IPR give legal recognition to the ownership of intellectual property. There are several different forms of rights or areas of law giving rise to rights that together make up IPR.
Normally the university works with inventors to manage the IP. The university has facilities and staff within the Research and Enterprise Office (REO) who specialise in managing IP and can provide expert help and advice.
Action to take
Therefore if you feel that you are an inventor and have created some IP, please speak to your project supervisor as soon as possible. Then you and your supervisor can contact the relevant Business Development Manager within the REO and together we can work within the university IP policy for students to help you manage the IP you have invented.
Discover more about how IP is assigned in different projects.
