Copyright & Intellectual Property

Indiana University’s Intellectual Property Policy addresses various important considerations relating to the creation and commercialization of intellectual property. The policy applies to copyrightable and patentable intellectual property developed by faculty, students, and staff as well as others that use IU resources.

Generally speaking, ownership of patentable work is vested in the University. Copyrighted works are subdivided into Traditional Works of Scholarship, ownership of which remains with the creator of the work, and University Works, as to which the University retains ownership. The revenues from intellectual property owned by the University are distributed according to the formula set out in this policy. The IP policy also contains important exceptions to and limitations on these general statements.

All members of the IU community are encouraged to read and familiarize themselves with the IU Intellectual Property Policy.

Indiana University Research and Technology Corporation, Inc. (IU’s technology transfer office) acts as steward of the University’s intellectual property rights and serves as the responsible University office for the policy.

The OVPGC serves as the only source of legal advice within and to the University in connection with the IU Intellectual Property Policy. A representative of the OVPGC also serves as a non-voting member of the Intellectual Property Policy Council.

For questions regarding licensing and trademarks, please consult with the Office of Licensing & Trademarks.

*Attorneys in the OVPGC do not provide legal advice to individual authors with respect to works in which they own the copyright. For additional copyright-related resources, consult www.copyright.iu.edu.