Intellectual property is just that - property.  As with all property, issues of ownership can arise. Misunderstandings, disputes and even litigation can occur if parties involved in the creative process do not clearly understand and delineate who owns what.  For that reason, whenever possible, ownership issues should be addressed up front by all concerned parties and incorporated into a written agreement.  Handling these issues at the outset ensures that everyone's needs are met, be they faculty, students, staff or the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities college or university.

Board Policy 3.26 clarifies the ownership of intellectual property rights between faculty, students, staff and the institutions that comprise the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.  The policy divides intellectual property rights into five categories of creative works and identifies four types of potential owners of such works.

Important Note to Viewers: Although all viewers may view this tutorial in its entirety if they desire, the tutorial is designed to allow viewers to select a tutorial "track" based on any of the above owner types. That way, viewers review material and examples that are most closely aligned with the viewer's role and rights within the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.