The purpose of the Student Intellectual Property and Copyright Policy is to acknowledge, respect, and uphold the ownership rights of Lane Community College students over their intellectual and creative works. This policy is established under the authority of U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17) and affirms students’ rights to own, control, and secure intellectual property, including copyright, for work created within their academic and extracurricular pursuits. The policy provides guidelines to ensure students are fully informed of their rights, fostering a culture of creativity, innovation, and academic freedom within the college community.
Students retain full ownership of the intellectual property and copyright for works they create as part of their educational activities, including but not limited to:
- Written assignments, research papers, and theses
- Musical compositions and digital media productions
- Visual and performing arts creations, including artworks and performances
- Technical projects and innovations in professional technical programs, such as welding or automotive technology
- Independent research outputs, including scientific discoveries, experiments, and creative outputs in science labs
This policy reflects the college’s commitment to respecting student contributions across all disciplines. This policy is generally applicable unless there is a work or contractual agreement which supersedes this policy. Lane Community College supports the ownership of student-created intellectual property and provides guidance on securing rights and protecting against unauthorized use or infringement.
Copyright Ownership
Unless otherwise under work or contract agreement, copyright protection is automatically granted upon the creation of an original work fixed in a tangible form, such as a written paper, video, or digital art file. Students do not need to register their work to secure copyright; however, they may choose to register their work for additional legal protections if desired.
Intellectual Property Ownership
Generally, ownership of intellectual property rights for student-created works that may involve inventions, designs, or innovations remain with the student. This includes works generated through independent research activities, technical programs, and creative applications within the college’s facilities. These rights may be modified by contractual agreements, including work, work-study, and internship agreements.The college encourages students to consult with relevant faculty or legal advisors for assistance with patent applications or other protections as necessary.
College Use
Lane Community College retains an automatic, nonexclusive, nontransferable license for pedagogical, scholarly, administrative, fair use, and noncommercial purposes for use of student works. Works submitted to the college by students may be retained in accordance with legal guidelines. This license may be revoked at any time by written request of the student.