Coastal Carolina University is committed to the creation and dissemination of knowledge for the public good. Many times this knowledge, sometimes referred to as intellectual property, needs to be protected. Inventors should contact the Office of Grants and Sponsored Research for information regarding intellectual property.
Patents
A patent is an exclusive right granted by a government to an inventor to manufacture, use, or sell an invention for a certain number of years (typically 20 years). To be patentable, the invention or discovery must have utility, novelty, and be non-obvious. The US Patent & Trademark Office has determined that software which meets certain technical and legal criteria may be patentable. In the event that software originally disclosed as a copyrightable work is subsequently determined to be patentable subject matter, and CCU chooses to seek patent protection for the software, such software shall be managed as patentable intellectual property.
There are three different types of patents: Utility patents are granted to those who discover any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof (35 USC 101). Design patents are granted to those who invent any new, original, and ornamental design for an article of manufacture (35 USC 171). Plant patents are granted to those who invent or discover and asexually reproduces any distinct and new variety of plant, including cultivated sports, mutants, hybrids, and newly found seedlings, other than a tuber propagated plant or a plant found in an uncultivated state (35 USC 161).
As provided by university policy, to which these policies and procedures are expressly subject, the University has an ownership interest in all inventions of University personnel that are conceived or first actually reduced to practice as a part of or as a result of University research or other activities involving the use of University facilities, staff, or funds administered by the University. The University also may have an interest in inventions under the terms of contracts, grants or other agreements. Faculty, staff, and students whose inventions are made on their own time and without University facilities, staff, or other resources and which inventions are, therefore, their exclusive property as specified by CCU policies, may avail themselves of the opportunity to submit the invention to the University for possible patenting and/or commercial exploitation and management under terms to be agreed between the inventor and the University. Patent infringement may result in civil charges leading to the payment of royalties, injunctions, and attorney fees (35 USC 283-285).
The date should be the year in which the work was completed or in which it was published, whichever is earlier. The name of the University must be spelled out in its entirety. The word "copyright" may be substituted for the copyright symbol shown above.
Copyright violations may result in injunctions, impounding, damages, attorney's fees, and criminal offenses (17 USC 501-513).
Ownership of Traditional Works
Ownership belongs to the creator of the work, unless it is a directed work, sponsored work requiring University ownership, or a work made for hire described in a written agreement between the work's creator and the University. If the University is to be involved in commercializing a traditional work or non-directed work, the work's creator shall assign the work to the University under an Assignment Agreement. The Assignment Agreement shall contain provisions outlining the commercialization responsibilities of the University and a mechanism for the sharing of commercial proceeds with the Author. In cases of ownership by the creator of a traditional work or non-directed work, the University, shall have a Shop Right in the work. Examples of Traditional or Non-Directed Works include literary works, musical compositions, journal articles and other scholarly works, and instructional materials, unless any such work is specially ordered or commissioned by the University.
If the work involves "exceptional use of institutional resources," ownership belongs to the University. However, upon agreement by the appropriate institutional official or body, the University may release or transfer its rights to the work's creator, with the University retaining: (a) a Shop Right; (b) the right to require reimbursement from the creator equal to the value of institutional resources used if the work produces income for the creator; and/or (c) the right to receive royalties in the same proportions as are provided for patent income (see Income from Copyright section) under these policies if the work produces income for the creator. The parties may also negotiate for joint ownership of such works, with the approval of the appropriate institutional official.
Ownership of Directed Works
Ownership belongs to the University. The work's creator, where practical, shall be granted a Shop Right. The University may release or transfer its authorship rights to the work's creator under a written agreement negotiated between the creator and the University, usually with the University retaining (a) a Shop Right, and/or (b) the right to require reimbursement and/or income sharing from the work's creator to the University if the work produces income for the creator. The parties may also negotiate for joint ownership of such works, with the approval of the appropriate institutional official or body.
Ownership of Sponsored Works
For a sponsored or externally contracted work created under an agreement that expressly requires copyright ownership by the University, the creator of the work must disclose the work to the University. Provided there is no conflict with a sponsored agreement, the University may release or transfer its rights to the work's creator under an agreement negotiated between the creator and the University, usually with the University retaining (a) a Shop Right, and/or (b) the right to require reimbursement and/or income sharing from the work's creator to the University if the work produces income for the creator; or the parties may also negotiate for joint ownership of such works, with the approval of the appropriate institutional official. For a sponsored or externally contracted work created under an agreement that does not expressly require copyright ownership by the University or a third party, the creator of the work shall own the work, subject to disclosure to the University where required under institutional policy.In case of ownership by the work's creator, the University, if practical, shall be assigned a Shop Right.
Income from Copyright Works not Owned by Coastal Carolina University
Authors and creators of original works in which the University claims no interest may exercise exclusive rights protected by copyright law, register the copyright and receive any revenues which may result there from.
Works in which Coastal Carolina University has an Ownership or Income Interest
Income received by the University through the sale, licensing, leasing or other use of copyrightable material in which the University has an ownership interest will normally be shared with the author. Authorship for this purpose shall be determined by the Provost or such officer's designee. Compensation and division of royalties, if any, will be the same as that provided for patent income under these policies and procedures unless other terms are negotiated by written agreement prior to commencement of work on the project.
In the event that an author contributes a copyrighted work to the University, a written agreement accepting such contribution shall be executed by the President or that officer's designee, subject to approval and acceptance of The Board of Trustees. In the event that a person otherwise assigns a copyrighted work to the University for value, the terms of the agreement shall include a statement governing the division of royalties or other income between the University and the assignor.
Back to top Trademarks
The term "trademark" includes any word, name, symbol, or device, or any combination thereof used by a person to distinguish his or her goods (15 USC 1127). Trademarks may not be registered if they possess any of the design characteristics described in 15 USC 1052, such as marks that include scandalous or immoral matter and those that contain the insignia of any state, country, or municipality.
Reproduction, counterfeiting, and imitation of a registered trademark in connection with the sale or advertisement of any goods or services is forbidden and may lead to civil action (15 USC 1114).
Registered trademarks must display an indication of registration, such as the ® symbol, or no damages or profits may be recovered (15 USC 1111). In some cases, however, a non-registered trademark, referred to as a "famous mark," may have some protections. Refer to 15 USC 1125 for more information.
The United States Patent and Trademark Office accepts applications through its Trademark Electonic Application System (TEAS). Applicants must submit personal information, specifics of the trademark, and a fee.
Use of a registered trademark may result in the payment of damages, fees, and profits to the owner (15 USC 1117).
Back to top Technology Transfer
Coastal Carolina University encourages participation by faculty, staff and students in scholarly research and creative activities that create knowledge, support and enhance teaching, and is consistent with its public service mission to contribute to the economic development of South Carolina. While research conducted by the University is aimed first at creation, discovery and dissemination of knowledge, rather than profit from commercial application, the University recognizes that public benefit may result from commercial applications of technology developed with University resources. The University seeks through adoption of these policies and procedures to balance the interests of the public, the University and respective inventor(s), author(s), or artist(s) in intellectual property arising from research and creative activities conducted by employees and students.
Contact Dr. Val Dunham at ext. 6572 to learn more about the process of transferring technology and innovation from CCU's campus to the general public.
Back to top Revenue Sharing
The University shall share technology transfer revenue that it receives from patents or inventions with the inventors. Specific provisions of grants or contracts may govern rights and revenue distribution regarding inventions made in connection with sponsored research; consequently, revenues the University receives from such inventions may be exclusive of payments of royalty shares to sponsors or contractors. Moreover, the University may contract with outside persons or organizations for the obtaining, managing and defending of patents. Any expenses incurred for the services of such persons or organizations, as well as any and all incremental expenses incurred by the University in obtaining and maintaining patents and/or in marketing, licensing and defending patents or licensable inventions, shall be deducted before the University distributes revenues.
Applicable laws, regulations or provision of grants or contracts may, however, require that a lesser share be paid to the inventor. In the case of co-inventors, each percentage share described in this paragraph as due a sole inventor shall be subdivided equally among the co-inventors unless all the co-inventors provide the University a written instrument signed by each of them allocating ownership among them other than in equal shares. In no event shall the share payable to the inventor or inventors in the aggregate by the University be less than 15% of the gross royalties received by the University.
Back to top Glossary Copyright - The exclusive right to make copies, license, and otherwise exploit a literary, musical, or artistic work, whether printed, audio, video, etc. Such rights in a work created on or after January 1, 1978, generally endure for a term consisting of the life of the author and 70 years after the author's death. Design Patent - granted to those who invent any new, original, and ornamental design for an article of manufacture (35 USC 171). Directed Works - works that are specifically funded by, or created at the direction of, or created pursuant to contract with, the University (including, but not limited to, works for hire by faculty or other EPA employees). Disclosure - a complete written description of an invention that is detailed enough to allow an inexperienced reader to replicate the creation of the invention and describe its function to others. Exceptional Use of Institutional Resources - institutional support of traditional works with resources of a degree or nature not routinely made available to faculty or other employees in a given area. In keeping with academic tradition, the University will not construe the provision of office, laboratory, studio or library facilities, or off-campus scholarly assignments, as constituting "exceptional use of institutional resources.” Exceptional use of institutional resources does include, without limitation, those situations where funds are paid (as salaries, wages or otherwise), atypical reassigned time (more than 3 semester hours per semester, excepting off-campus scholarly assignments) is granted to a faculty member or other resources are provided specifically to support the development of copyrightable materials. Intellectual Property - generally relates to four distinct kinds of legal protection: patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. The kinds of things that are protected by intellectual property law include scientific and engineering inventions (including new methods and apparatus), distinctive marks for identifying products or institutions, computer software, "know-how," and forms of expression that are affixed in tangible form (i.e., books, movies, artistic works of art). Inventor - a person who makes an original, significant intellectual contribution leading to the conception of the invention. License - a license is a legally binding written document in which one party, having definable rights in a property, transfers or grants all or some part of those rights to another entity for some type of consideration. Material Transfer Agreement - an agreement where one party agrees to provide another party with their materials. MTAs should always be considered when conducting any outside collaborations with industry or other academic institutions. MTAs are typically used to protect materials that may be proprietary and/or embody a trade secret. Patent - The exclusive right granted by a government to an inventor to manufacture, use, or sell an invention for a certain number of years. To be patentable, the invention or discovery must have utility, novelty, and be non-obvious. The US Patent & Trademark Office has determined that software which meets certain technical and legal criteria may be patentable. In the event that software originally disclosed as a Copyrightable Work is subsequently determined to be patentable subject matter, and CCU chooses to seek patent protection for the software, such software shall be managed under this policy as patentable Intellectual Property. Patentable - In general, an invention is patentable if it is new (35 USC 102), useful, and of a non-obvious subject matter (35 USC 103). Plant Patent -granted to those who invent or discover and asexually reproduces any distinct and new variety of plant, including cultivated sports, mutants, hybrids, and newly found seedlings, other than a tuber propagated plant or a plant found in an uncultivated state (35 USC 161). Prior Art - any relevant publication, patent, or event prior to invention that may be considered by the patent office in evaluating patentability of the invention. If a patent application is filed in the US, anything that has been published, used in public, offered for sale or sold by anyone before the inventor(s) made the invention, or more than one year before the application is filed, becomes a part of the prior art for that application. Provisional Patent Application - an application that can be filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) that establishes the effective filing date of a patent application. Shop Right - The right of Coastal Carolina University to use an invention or other work for non-commercial educational or research purposes without compensating the inventor or author for the use. This right includes without limitation the right to make and use derivative works. Sponsored Works - any type of copyrighted work developed with funds supplied under a contract, grant, or other arrangement between the University and third parties, including sponsored research agreements. Technology Transfer - a term used to describe a formal transferring of new discoveries and innovations resulting from scientific research conducted at universities to the commercial sector. Trademark - any word, name, symbol, or device, or any combination thereof used by a person to distinguish his or her goods (15 USC 1127). Trade Secret - Trade secrets may be comprised, generally, of any formula, pattern, device or compilation of information which gives one an opportunity to obtain an advantage over competitors who do not know or use it in commercial applications. To the extent permitted by UNC Policies, trade secrets in which Coastal Carolina University maintains an interest shall be protected in accordance with the terms of sponsored research agreements or, if none exist, by any lawful means available to the University as determined by the President or such officer's designee. Traditional Work - a pedagogical, scholarly, literary, or aesthetic (artistic) work originated by a faculty or other employee resulting from non-directed effort. (Such works may include textbooks, manuscripts, scholarly works, fixed lecture notes, distance learning materials not falling into one of the other categories of this policy, works of art or design, musical scores, poems, films, videos, audio recordings, or other works of the kind that have historically been deemed in academic communities to be the property of their creator.) Utility Patent - granted to those who discover any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof (35 USC 101). Work Made for Hire - a work prepared by an employee within the scope of his or her employment; or a work specially ordered or commissioned for use as a contribution to a collective work, as a part of a motion picture or other audiovisual work, as a translation, as a supplementary work, as a compilation, as an instructional text, as a test, as answer material for a test, or as an atlas, if the parties expressly agree in a written instrument signed by them that the work shall be considered a work made for hire (15 USC 101).
