Convening a Graduate Student Copyright/IP Task Force

Abstract

In Fall 2013, Texas A&M University convened a task force whose charge was to look at inconsistencies in and identify issues with current graduate student copyright/intellectual property rules and policies, to recommend changes, and to consider crafting scenarios that address who owns copyright in a variety of circumstances (e.g., independent research, funded research, as a result of/or in the course of on-campus employment, etc.).Throughout the fall semester the task force, with broad representation from across campus, reviewed the language in existing rules, policies, guidelines and practices as they pertained to graduate student copyright and IP in the thesis/dissertation and other scholarly works. Gaps and inconsistencies were identified, and best practices from peer institutions considered. This information was then used to form the basis of the task force's recommendations, which addressed needed changes to existing policies, rules, and guidelines; training; faculty-student authorship guidelines and practices; and, thesis/dissertation authorship and copyright issues. This presentation will address the events leading up to the convening of the task force, the various issues considered in the task force, and outcomes, including implications for other master's/doctoral degree granting institutions.