University of Pittsburgh faces issues with employee intellectual property rights agreements

It is not uncommon for businesses to have employees sign agreements in which they agree to sign over the rights to intellectual property that is created while employed by that business. In certain instances, companies will have the rights to inventions and works created by employees during their time working for the company.

This type of agreement is commonly seen in the technology sector, particularly when it comes to patented technology, but it affects other types of businesses as well, and higher education is no exception. The University of Pittsburgh has recently been experiencing issues related to intellectual property rights agreements and its employees. According to an article from the Post-Gazette, the university told faculty and nonclerical staff that they must sign an irrevocable agreement transferring their intellectual property rights to the university.

The rights in question would include "title and interest to all intellectual property" developed during their employment with the university. However, as the source reports, an official from the American Association of University Professors told the Post-Gazette that it was a "violation of academic freedom" to have the workers sign such agreements.

As a result, the university decided it would postpone requiring faculty to sign the agreements, although some already had. Under the policy, the inventor "will normally receive 30 percent and the university 70 percent of the net financial returns from the licensing or other transfer of patent rights or other intellectual property rights," according to the Post-Gazette. A panel will be deciding how to approach the matter.

Intellectual property rights are an important consideration for businesses in every industry. Contact a Phoenix small business attorney to learn what your business can do to protect its intellectual property.

Categorised in: Intellectual Property Law

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