What is intellectual property?
Intellectual property (IP) is, in a nutshell, what your mind or intellect creates. This property is protected at law by what are known as IP rights. When you enrol at Monash University you agree to be bound by its rules. One such rule relates to IP ownership. This regime is relevant mostly to research students.
It is important to note that Monash University makes no claim to copyright in a thesis.
However, you may be asked to assign (meaning give away) your IP to Monash when:
- You invent something using university funding, resources, facilities, apparatus, enabling the research which resulted in the invention;
- IP belonging to Monash was used by you to create the IP; or
- when the IP belongs to a third party, such as an industry partner or sponsor.
The trigger which requires a student to assign their IP is ‘collaborative activity’, which is very broad but does not include supervision per-se, or access to generic resources. You can view Monash University’s policy and procedures on intellectual property online.
What about authorship?
Authorship works in a slightly different way to IP ownership at Monash. Authorship is not strictly speaking IP, but it is mentioned in the Copyright legislation.
Monash University has a policy and procedure which all research students should read. Please refer to our authorship page for more information.
I think my IP is at risk, what can I do?
The MGA Advocacy service is led by a legally qualified advocate experienced in advising students on their intellectual property rights and authorship. Get in touch with the MGA and an advocate can assist and advise you regarding your rights.