(1) QUT is committed to providing transformative education and research relevant to our communities. (2) The purpose of this Policy is to provide clear direction to the University’s staff and students with relation to the management and protection of intellectual property, commercialisation of intellectual property and the sharing of net revenues from commercialisation with creators. (3) This Policy applies to all QUT staff (whether academic or professional), visitors and any person enrolled as a student of QUT, or in a course or program of study conducted by or on behalf of QUT, at the time they create intellectual property. (4) In accordance with general law principles, QUT as an employer owns all intellectual property created by senior staff, academic and professional staff members in the course of their employment. Intellectual property created in pursuance of or incidental to the performance of a staff member’s QUT employment contract is considered to have been created in the course of employment whether or not a staff member’s express duties include a duty to develop intellectual property. (5) This ownership exists as a matter of law and does not require any further documentation from staff members. However, staff may be required to formally sign documents to more fully record QUT’s ownership of QUT intellectual property, for example, to enable patent applications to be made. (6) All research data must be managed in accordance with relevant policies, including Management of Research Data and Primary Materials Policy. (7) Ownership of intellectual property generated by staff during private work outside of their role at the University will not generally be owned by QUT. This is subject to contractual arrangements and use of University resources. Activities of this nature must be considered and approved under the policy on Outside Work, Private Consultancies and Directorships Policy. (8) Provided that QUT does not have contractual obligations to a third party which would prevent QUT affecting such a transfer of rights, the University: (9) In appropriate circumstances, QUT will sign documents to more fully record the staff member’s ownership of the right of publication of the copyright in a scholarly work and QUT’s non-exclusive licence to that work. (10) In line with the Ownership of Intellectual Property generated by Staff above, QUT owns the intellectual property in QUT education resources (including online education resources). This ensures the University has the unrestricted ability to use QUT education resources for its teaching, research and training responsibilities. (11) QUT consents to the use of QUT education resources by staff to fulfil their teaching, research and training responsibilities at QUT. This use does not include the use for commercial purposes outside of their role at QUT, unless approved otherwise by the Provost, nor does it involve a transfer of ownership of QUT intellectual property. Commercialisation of QUT education resources is performed through QUTeX. (12) Unless subject to confidentiality or separate legal constraint, QUT recognises that staff may personally use knowledge they have developed in the course of their employment at QUT, once that employment ceases. That right does not extend to the reproduction of QUT education resources unless released under a separate license. (13) Guidelines for licensing of QUT education resources as open education resources or under another types of non-monetised licences are approved by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic), and this is to be undertaken according to the Open Educational Resources Policy. (14) Students own the intellectual property that they generate, when solely created, or a share of intellectual property, when jointly created. (15) In order to participate in certain projects, in particular, where the project is externally funded or where the project has clear commercialisation potential or objectives, students may need to assign their interest in the intellectual property. Where the student is a higher degree research student, the research thesis principal Supervisor is responsible for identifying circumstances when the assignment of student intellectual property is appropriate. Where a student is undertaking coursework, the Unit Coordinator is responsible for identifying circumstances when the assignment of student intellectual property is appropriate. (16) An assignment of student intellectual property: (17) To protect student interests, and in recognition of the different considerations which apply to student intellectual property, a Student Intellectual Property Protocol (Student IP protocol), approved by the Head of Research Portfolio and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor International and Vice-President Business Development, sets out the mechanisms to implement these principles. (18) There is no obligation on the student to assign their intellectual property to complete their study. (19) Data generated in the course of QUT research projects is generally owned by QUT. (20) In order to participate in certain work integrated learning (WIL) activities, students may be requested to assign or licence their intellectual property to industry partners. The Work Integrated Learning Policy and Work integrated learning protocol (QUT staff access only) provides further details. (21) Students grant QUT a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive licence to communicate peer-reviewed articles via the institutional repository and library (Open Access for QUT Research Outputs (Including Theses) Policy. (22) Students grant QUT a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive licence to communicate their submitted thesis via the digital repository and library. (23) Where intellectual property of commercial value is brought to QUT or it is foreseen that commercially valuable intellectual property will be generated by a visitor (that is, any person other than a staff member or student who takes part in any research or scholarly activity at QUT, including a person holding an adjunct, conjoint or honorary role at QUT), ownership and rights relating to intellectual property, should be resolved through negotiation between QUT and the visitor or other third parties such as the visitor’s employer before the visit or appointment commences at QUT. This process should be initiated by QUT and may necessitate negotiation between QUT and may necessitate negotiation between QUT and the owner of the intellectual property. (24) Prior to commencement, QUT will usually expect visitors to assign intellectual property rights to QUT where: (25) This process is outlined in the Visitor Intellectual Property Protocol (Visitor IP protocol). (26) All creators of and contributors to QUT intellectual property with commercialisation potential must identify, keep confidential, be involved in and facilitate the commercialisation of intellectual property. In particular, all have a specific duty to fully disclose QUT intellectual property with potential commercial value, to the relevant Executive Dean in the case of education resources or to the International and Business Development Portfolio portfolio in the case of other QUT intellectual property. (27) Any commercialisation of QUT education resources will be done by QUT as determined by the Provost or nominee. (28) Any distribution to creators and contributors from net commercialisation revenue received from commercialisation of education resources will be determined by the Provost or nominee. (29) Commercialisation of QUT intellectual property (other than education resources) will be pursued through the International and Business Development Portfolio portfolio, which has the specific function of protecting and commercialising intellectual property developed at QUT (other than as noted above) and supporting creators in the recognition and identification of commercialisable intellectual property. Staff are not permitted (in their private capacity) to protect intellectual property developed in the course of their employment at QUT. (30) In the absence of any other agreement reached between the relevant parties the University will ensure that net commercialisation revenue (excluding that derived from the commercialisation of education resources) is distributed as follows: (31) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor International and Vice-President Business Development will determine the proportionate distribution of revenue among the creators and contributors. (32) Subject to any existing agreements regarding revenue distributions, this Policy will apply in relation to all net commercialisation revenue received by QUT after this Policy comes into effect, including under agreements made before this Policy comes into effect. Distribution to a contributor under this Policy shall not be affected by the death, resignation or retirement of the contributor. (33) The Commercialisation IP protocol and Commercialisation Revenue Protocol, approved by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor International and Vice-President Business Development, set out the obligations of creators and contributors, set out the mechanisms to implement these principles and define the commercialisation expenses, revenue and net commercialisation revenue which are taken into account in determining the revenue to be distributed. (34) Decisions on the transfer of QUT rights to creators (outgoing) and of third party rights to QUT (incoming) will be managed in accordance with the Transfer of Rights Protocol (QUT staff and student access only) approved by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor International and Vice-President Business Development. (35) Where the University determines it will not further pursue commercialisation of QUT intellectual property, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor International and Vice-President Business Development may decide to grant rights to creators, subject to any contractual obligations to a third party. (36) This decision to not further pursue commercialisation will be taken after assessing the commercialisation prospects for the intellectual property. This decision by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor International and Vice-President Business Development, may only be made where: (37) In general, the transfer of rights to creators will not be considered where: (38) QUT may, at its option, impose a condition requiring the payment of a royalty to QUT by the creators in the event of future successful commercialisation outcomes. (39) The moral rights of the creator of works as specified in the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth) are, in summary: (40) QUT shall take reasonable steps to respect moral rights and to ensure that others respect moral rights. However, QUT is not obliged to take any action if the moral rights of authors are infringed. (41) QUT recognises that staff and students may retain moral rights in copyright works owned by QUT and may, in appropriate circumstances, ask creators to consent to certain uses of their work, where moral rights may be affected. (42) Further information on moral rights is available in the Moral Rights Guidelines. (43) Where the creation of QUT intellectual property involves the traditional interests or property of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and/or the use of traditional knowledge, QUT will take all reasonable steps to consult with the relevant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups and communities to ensure that any decisions taken on the protection, development and commercialisation of that intellectual property conforms with relevant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander protocols and ethical guidelines. (44) Determinations on matters relating to this [Policy are made by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor International and Vice-President Business Development. (45) A person who does not agree with an intellectual policy determination, action or inaction on a matter relating to this Policy must in the first instance notify the Deputy Vice-Chancellor International and Vice-President Business Development in writing of the dispute. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor International and Vice-President Business Development will respond to that notice promptly. (46) If the concerned person is dissatisfied with the reply (or if the reply is not timely) the person should advise the Vice-Chancellor and President in writing of the unresolved dispute. (47) The Vice-Chancellor and President (or the Vice-Chancellor and President's nominee) shall meet with the person and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor International and Vice-President Business Development normally within five (5) working days from the date of being advised in writing of the unresolved dispute. (48) Prior to the meeting, the Vice-Chancellor and President shall advise the person of their right to be accompanied by a representative at that meeting. A representative for the purposes of this Policy means a person chosen by the affected staff member to assist or represent them. At the choice of the staff member this person may be a union officer or official. The representative excludes a person who is currently practicing as a solicitor or barrister. (49) The Vice-Chancellor and President (or nominee) may seek assistance in investigating a dispute, as appropriate. That advice may be sought from: (50) The Vice-Chancellor and President shall respond to the written notice of dispute within thirty working days of receipt of the notice or shall inform the person of an alternative timeline for resolution. The final response of the Vice-Chancellor and President to the written notice of dispute shall conclude the matter. (51) Any breach of this [Policy or associated protocols by a staff member may be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with QUT’s provisions on Disciplinary Action for Misconduct and Serious Misconduct Policy - Senior Staff, or the relevant Enterprise Agreement for academic or professional staff. (52) Any breach of this Policy or associated protocols by a student may be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with QUT’s Management of Student Misconduct Policy. (53) The management of any potential conflict of interest shall be undertaken in accordance with QUT’s Conflict of Interest Policy. (54) Refer to Register of Authorities and DelegationsF (C040, C041, C055, C056, C057, C171, VC012) (QUT staff access only).Intellectual Property Policy
Section 1 - Purpose
Section 2 - Application
Section 3 - Roles and Responsibilities
Top of Page
Section 4 - Ownership of Intellectual Property generated by Staff
Section 5 - Copyright in Scholarly Works
Section 6 - Intellectual Property in QUT Education Resources
Section 7 - Intellectual Property Generated by Students
Licensing of Students’ Scholarly Works and Theses
Section 8 - Intellectual Property created by visitors (including Adjunct, Conjoint and Honorary Roles)
Section 9 - Commercialisation and Commercialisation Revenue
Obligations of Creators and Contributors
Commercialisation of QUT Intellectual Property (Education Resources)
Commercialisation of QUT Intellectual Property (other than Education Resources)
Section 10 - Transfer of Rights
Section 11 - Moral Rights
Section 12 - Traditional Knowledge
Section 13 - Dispute Resolution
Section 14 - Breaches of the Policy
Section 15 - Conflict of Interest
Section 16 - Definitions
Top of Page
Term
Definition
Commercialisation Expenses
Means the expenses incurred by QUT in the production, development, protection, marketing and commercialisation of QUT intellectual property.
Commercialisation Revenue
Means the gross cash revenue received by QUT from the commercialisation of QUT intellectual property and does not include payments pursuant to a research or consulting agreement or payments used to subscribe for equity in a company.
Contributor
Means any other staff member, student or visitor who has substantially assisted with the development of QUT intellectual property other than a creator, as determined by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor International and Vice-President Business Development.
Creator
Means a staff member, student or visitor who creates QUT intellectual property, and includes inventors of patentable subject matter, authors of works and makers of other subject matter subject to copyright and designers of industrial designs.
Intellectual Property
Under this Policy covers registrable and non-registrable intellectual property rights and proprietary knowledge such as confidential information, know-how and trade secrets.
Net Commercialisation Revenue
Means commercialisation revenue less commercialisation expenses in relation to a particular item or related items of intellectual property.
QUT Intellectual Property
Is intellectual property owned by, assigned or licensed to QUT. This includes intellectual property created by staff during their course of employment at QUT or assigned to QUT by staff, students, visitors or third parties.
Scholarly Works
Are QUT intellectual property in the form of articles (refereed or un-refereed), books or book chapters, manuals, musical compositions or creative writing, or any digital or electronic version of these. Computer programs, education resources or administration material are not treated as scholarly works under this Policy.
Section 17 - Delegations
View Document
This is the current version of this document. You can provide feedback on this document to the document author - refer to the Status and Details on the document's navigation bar.
Position
Responsibility
Deputy Vice-Chancellor International and Vice-President Business Development
Ensures that research innovations with commercial relevance are exploited to their full potential.
Oversees the development of and implementation of commercialisation arrangements, including agreements with external parties, creators, contributors and students.
Formulates and approves protocols and guidelines to implement this Policy, and for the management of disputes arising under this Policy.
Head of Research Portfolio
Develops QUT’s research capacity.
Promotes research innovations with commercial relevance.
Ensures, within their portfolio of responsibilities, that contractual arrangements protect QUT’s intellectual property and fulfil QUT’s commitments under third party arrangements, and ensures that these are consistent with protocols and guidelines approved under this Policy, in order to ensure that commercial opportunities can be pursued where available.
Approves Student Intellectual Property Protocol(Student IP protocol) with Deputy Vice-Chancellor International and Vice-President Business Development.
Vice-Chancellor and President
Makes a final determination on disputes.
Provost/Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Approves commercialisation of QUT education resources.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Approves guidelines for licensing of education resources as open education resources or under other types of non-monetised licences.
Academic Supervisor
Identifies circumstances when the assignment of student intellectual property to QUT is appropriate.
Unit Coordinator
Identifies circumstances when the assignment of student intellectual property to QUT is appropriate.
Persons dealing with QUT intellectual property (all staff, students and visitors generating intellectual property in the course of their QUT employment or association with QUT)
Identify, keep confidential and actively facilitate the commercialisation of QUT intellectual property generated in the course of their employment, enrolment or association with QUT.
Fully disclose QUT intellectual property with potential commercial value, to the International and Business Development Portfolio portfolio (in the case of QUT intellectual property) or the Executive Dean of Faculty (in the case of education resources).
Must comply with the specific requirements of this Policy and other relevant policies such as the Code of Conduct - Staff and QUT Code for Responsible Conduct of Research.