Intellectual Property

Copyright Guide for Faculty and Staff (by the Association of Research Libraries)

The Association of Research Libraries publishes a valuable tool titled Know Your Copyrights, What You Can Do.” According to the Association, “among the topics covered in the brochure are: fair use, the advantage of linking to instead of copying works, and special provisions for displaying or performing works in classes. The brochure also includes a one-page chart that highlights 24 situations when various categories of works can be used.”

Federal Government Copyright Information

The United States’ Copyright Office’s mission is to “ promote creativity by administering and sustaining an effective national copyright system."   The Office’s online tools are designed to serve the copyright community of creators and users, as well as the general public. Faculty and staff can access online registration,  key publications, application forms for copyright registration, links to the copyright law and to the homepages of other copyright-related organizations, and a link to the Office’s online copyright records cataloged since 1978.

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Andersen Library Copyright Resources

The Andersen Library serves as a knowledge portal for copyright guidelines and resources, including use of video in online and face-to-face classes, the TEACH Act, distance education copyright issues, public performance rights, tutorials and quizzes, and frequently asked questions. 

Instructional Materials Ownership, Use, and Control[University of Wisconsin System Financial Administration Policy G27] 

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater  does not assert a property interest in materials that result from faculty scholarly work (teaching, research, and creative activity).  This policy paper identifies typical situations in which the development of copyrightable instructional materials occurs, and provides information and guidance for those situations when copyrightable instructional materials are developed with substantial support from UW System institutions.  In these situations, The institution may assert ownership or other property interests that should be addressed through specific agreements with the authors and producers of the materials

Computer Software Ownership [University of Wisconsin System Financial Administration Policy G10]

The primary objective of policies concerning ownership of intellectual property must be to preserve, protect and foster the open and creative expression and exchange of information, ideas and research results. This is not only the responsibility of a public educational institution, it is the basic premise on which a university must exist.  To encourage the production and distribution of creative works, UW System has established property rights for inventions and writings—including computer software.

Patent Policy [University of Wisconsin System Financial Administration Policy G34]

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and most universities of the UW System do not claim proprietary rights in any invention generated by faculty, staff, or students. However, patent agreements between individuals and the institution may be entered into at universities in the UW System.  The Patent Policy outlines the nature of faculty, staff and students' responsibilities, privileges, and options when they have made an invention or discovery.