9.05 University Copyright Policy
9.05.1 Introduction.
1. What is copyright? A copyright is a form of intellectual property protection provided by law for certain original works including written works, software, and selected audio, visual, or performed compositions. More detailed information on copyrights is available at http://www.copyright.gov.
The copyright protects the particular form of expression rather than the subject matter or content of the work. One cannot copyright an idea, only the particular expression of the idea. Unlike patent protection, copyright protection exists from the time an original work is created and vests immediately when the work is fixed in a “tangible medium” for the first time. Such tangible media might include paper, a computer disk, or granite.
Holding a copyright allows the owner certain exclusive prerogatives including the right to reproduce and distribute the protected material, the right to prepare derivative works based on the protected material, and (in the case of various artistic works) the right to display or perform the protected work. The owner of a copyright may convey to others all or some of the rights inherent in the copyright. For example, the owner of a copyright may "assign" all interest in the protected material to another. Alternatively, the owner of a copyright may grant a limited permission that allows another to use the protected material. In some cases, the owner of a copyright may grant a license to another that specifies the nature of any permitted uses of the copyright material.
2. Importance of an academic copyright policy. Members of the University community–faculty, staff, and students–create each day large volumes of material that are subject to copyright protection. These various creations include such dissimilar works as scholarly monographs and journal articles, musical compositions, novels, textbooks, lectures, class outlines, poems, administrative software, dances, paintings, experimental software, promotional brochures, administrative correspondence, sculptures, multimedia teaching materials, videotapes, and policy documents. Many of these works have various functions and origins within the academic context. Some works arise directly from the pursuit of scholarly or creative activity and serve to convey the results of these activities; other works do not. Because copyright law and its policy-based application at the University will attribute both ownership rights and the associated rights to control subsequent uses of the protected works, an academic copyright policy must carefully balance a number of important objectives. These objectives must accommodate the various functions and origins of copyright works created at the institution.
3. Objective of the University Copyright Policy. The objective of the University’s Copyright Policy is to advance the mission of the University by:
a. Encouraging and supporting the exercise of academic freedom, innovation, and creativity;
b. Structuring the rights of ownership and the rights to use copyright materials created by members of the University community in a way that:
(i) Enables the timely dissemination of materials resulting from the scholarship, teaching, research, and creative activities of faculty, staff, and students;
(ii) Permits the University to retain a copyright in and/or use materials created by members of the University community under certain circumstances;
(iii) Permits the University to meet contractual obligations to outside entities; and
(iv) Accommodates and is consistent with related University policies.
c. Assuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations in the management of copyright materials.
1. What is copyright? A copyright is a form of intellectual property protection provided by law for certain original works including written works, software, and selected audio, visual, or performed compositions. More detailed information on copyrights is available at http://www.copyright.gov.
The copyright protects the particular form of expression rather than the subject matter or content of the work. One cannot copyright an idea, only the particular expression of the idea. Unlike patent protection, copyright protection exists from the time an original work is created and vests immediately when the work is fixed in a “tangible medium” for the first time. Such tangible media might include paper, a computer disk, or granite.
Holding a copyright allows the owner certain exclusive prerogatives including the right to reproduce and distribute the protected material, the right to prepare derivative works based on the protected material, and (in the case of various artistic works) the right to display or perform the protected work. The owner of a copyright may convey to others all or some of the rights inherent in the copyright. For example, the owner of a copyright may "assign" all interest in the protected material to another. Alternatively, the owner of a copyright may grant a limited permission that allows another to use the protected material. In some cases, the owner of a copyright may grant a license to another that specifies the nature of any permitted uses of the copyright material.
2. Importance of an academic copyright policy. Members of the University community–faculty, staff, and students–create each day large volumes of material that are subject to copyright protection. These various creations include such dissimilar works as scholarly monographs and journal articles, musical compositions, novels, textbooks, lectures, class outlines, poems, administrative software, dances, paintings, experimental software, promotional brochures, administrative correspondence, sculptures, multimedia teaching materials, videotapes, and policy documents. Many of these works have various functions and origins within the academic context. Some works arise directly from the pursuit of scholarly or creative activity and serve to convey the results of these activities; other works do not. Because copyright law and its policy-based application at the University will attribute both ownership rights and the associated rights to control subsequent uses of the protected works, an academic copyright policy must carefully balance a number of important objectives. These objectives must accommodate the various functions and origins of copyright works created at the institution.
3. Objective of the University Copyright Policy. The objective of the University’s Copyright Policy is to advance the mission of the University by:
a. Encouraging and supporting the exercise of academic freedom, innovation, and creativity;
b. Structuring the rights of ownership and the rights to use copyright materials created by members of the University community in a way that:
(i) Enables the timely dissemination of materials resulting from the scholarship, teaching, research, and creative activities of faculty, staff, and students;
(ii) Permits the University to retain a copyright in and/or use materials created by members of the University community under certain circumstances;
(iii) Permits the University to meet contractual obligations to outside entities; and
(iv) Accommodates and is consistent with related University policies.
c. Assuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations in the management of copyright materials.
Effective Date
Approved by Board of Curators: January 15, 2026