Conflict of Interest Policy
University conflict of interest policy as outlined in the Standard Practice Guide (SPG) must comply with state and federal external requirements. In addition, the university provides operational policies to guide employees in disclosing outside activities, relationships, or interests and managing identified conflicts of interest and commitment.
Copyright Ownership
This policy promotes the University of Michigan’s scholarly, academic, and service missions by establishing a framework for who holds copyright at the University.
Regents Bylaw 3.10
Sec. 3.10 of the Bylaws of The Board of Regents: Ownership of Patents, Copyrights, Computer Software, and Other Property Rights.
Research Activity and Compliance
Because of the complex nature of the university’s work in a wide range of areas, there are many compliance requirements that intersect with individual activities and roles in different ways.
Student Ownership Policy
Under the Office of Technology Transfer’s policy, students will own all IP they create unless the student creates the IP in his or her capacity as an employee. In other words, if a student creates IP, and the IP does not derive from the student’s employment for the University, the student will own the IP.
Technology Transfer Policy
This Policy implements Section 3.10 of the Bylaws of the Board of Regents. The Policy further defines the ownership, distribution, and commercialization of rights associated with Intellectual Property developed at or received by the University of Michigan, and describes the general obligations associated with the technology licensing process.
U.S. Bayh-Dole Act
The U.S. Bayh-Dole Act of 1980 allows universities and other non-profit institutions to have ownership rights to discoveries resulting from federally-funded research, provided certain obligations are met.
