Intellectual Property Transfer

Policy 207

Introduction

Appalachian State University (hereinafter also referred to as "the University") encourages participation by faculty, staff and students in scholarly research and creative activities that create knowledge, support and enhance teaching, and are consistent with its public service mission to contribute to the economic development of North Carolina. While research conducted by the University is aimed first at creation, discovery and dissemination of knowledge, rather than profit from commercial application, the University recognizes that public benefit may result from commercial applications of technology developed with University resources. The University seeks through adoption of these policies and procedures to balance the interests of the public, the University and respective inventors, authors, or artists in intellectual property arising from research and creative activities conducted by employees and students.

Consistent with policies adopted by the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina, these policies and procedures are intended to:

• provide appropriate incentive for creative intellectual effort by faculty, staff, students, and others associated with the constituent institutions of the University;
• establish principles for determining the interests of the constituent institutions, inventors, and sponsors in regard to inventions and/or discoveries;
• enable University officials to develop procedures by which the significance of inventions and/or discoveries may be determined and brought to the point of commercial utilization;
• provide the means for placing in the public realm the results of research, while safeguarding the interests of the University, inventor, and sponsor; and recognize the right of the inventor to financial benefits from the invention or discovery

Scope

This statement of policy and procedures applies to all persons employed by the University, to all students and to any other person or entity using facilities, staff or funds subject to control or supervision by the University. This document, as amended from time to time, shall be deemed to constitute part of the conditions of employment of every employee, including student employees, and of the conditions of admission, enrollment and attendance by every student of the University. Unless otherwise excepted by the provisions hereof, this policy shall apply to intellectual property of all types (including any invention, discovery, trade secret, technology, scientific or technological development, computer software, conception, design, creation or other form of expression of an idea) regardless of whether such property is subject to protection under patent, trademark, or copyright laws, or other constitutional, statutory or common law.

The provisions of this document shall be interpreted and applied in conformity with UNC Policies.

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