The primary mission of universities is to create, preserve and disseminate knowledge. When that knowledge takes the form of Intellectual Property (IP), a university must establish a clear and explicit policy that will protect the interests of both its creators and the university while ensuring that society benefits from the fair and full dissemination of that knowledge. This policy addresses the ownership, disposition and use of IP which includes, but is not limited to, patents and/or inventions, copyrights (including computer software) and trademarks or trade secrets relating to Coastal Carolina University (University), its faculty, staff, students and others using University Resources as defined in Section III of this policy.