At Lindenwood University, Intellectual Property includes “all creations, discoveries, works of authorship and/or other proprietary properties.”

Our IP Policy describes Intellectual Policy in terms of “IP Works,” which are generally any type work or invention to which one has rights protected by laws pertaining to copyrights, trademarks, or patents.

A few examples of an IP Work include:

• an analytical process
• a chemical compound
• software applications
• some books or publications
• works of art
• media projects
• course materials or courseware

One of the primary tasks of the Intellectual Property Committee is to review information from faculty, staff, and students who develop Intellectual Property at Lindenwood University. The IP Disclosure Process allows LU to partner with IP developers in identifying appropriate strategies for ownership, commercialization, and attribution.

The IP Disclosure Form needs to be completed prior to all projects or activities that may result in a work or product of financial value, are produced with Material University Resources, or may entail a patent, invention, or trade secret.

The IP Disclosure Form does not need to be completed when a project or activity is a Scholarly Work completed by Faculty at their own direction without Material University Resources.

Examples of Scholarly Works include:

• research or scholarly publications
• textbooks
• journal articles
• conference materials
• fiction or nonfiction books
• theatrical scripts or productions
• poems and works of music or art.

An "attribution" is an indication that Lindenwood University was involved with the creation or development of an IP Work. This could take the form of an acknowledgement in a publication or exhibition, the use of LU branding in media, or tagging Lindenwood University in an IP Work shared through social media.

Faculty, Staff, and Students should discuss attribution with all original creators of an IP Work and the supervising Faculty or Staff for that project. The IP Committee is available for consultation regarding attribution requirements and will make all final determinations regarding attribution when necessary.

It is important to understand what may be considered a "Material University Resource." Any activity using Material University Resources that may result in an IP Work needs to be disclosed to the IP Committee for review through the IP Disclosure Process.

A Material University Resource includes any internal or external funding, equipment, software, or resources not routinely available to faculty or staff, or material periods of time provided by university employees. A Course Release, Sabbatical, or release from ordinary duties for the purposes of research or scholarship is not necessarily considered a Material University Resource.

Examples of Material University Resources include:

• any products or services used to develop software, games, or apps
• specialized lab or medical equipment
• items requiring extraordinary subscription fees, purchasing, licensing, or University services.

The publication of textbooks, monographs, and articles generally falls under the definition of Scholarly Works, which do not need to be disclosed to the IP Committee.

Such works may certainly be of academic, technical, and commercial value. However, in keeping with academic tradition, Lindenwood University does not claim ownership to Scholarly Works produced without Material University Resources.

An Open Educational Resource (OER) is considered an IP Work when it is developed at the direction of Lindenwood University or using Material University Resources. In such cases, the creator of the OER would need to complete the IP Disclosure Process to identify appropriate strategies for ownership, commercialization, and attribution.

If a faculty or staff member produces an OER that could be considered a Scholarly Work, the creator does not need to complete the IP Disclosure Process. In such cases, however, it is advisable to consult with the IP Committee while making this decision.