Students

The Boston College Intellectual Property Policy applies fully to graduate and undergraduate students, and also incorporates concepts that are unique to them - to encourage student innovation and entrepreneurship while adhering to obligations undertaken in the university’s relationships with its external partners. 

Per the Policy, students will generally own intellectual property produced during coursework or in designated makerspaces, unless (all capitalized terms are defined in the Policy): 

• the Invention was an improvement of an Invention in which the University holds the intellectual property rights;
• a University faculty member or other University employee was a co-Inventor of the Invention;
• “Substantial Resources” were used to develop or reduce the Invention to practice; or
• the development of the Invention was supported, in whole or in part, by a sponsored project agreement (i.e., a project funding agreement) or other agreement under which a third party may have rights in the Intellectual Property.

Any student engaging in University or independent research with questions about this Policy, or otherwise, should contact OTTL. The office exists to support students in their research just as it supports faculty and staff.

Students should also be aware, as they engage in University research or collaborate with faculty members, that they may be asked to sign the University’s Intellectual Property Agreement. Any questions regarding this agreement, its terms, and implications, can be directed to OTTL.