This is a positive rather than a negative example, but for contrast Cambridge and Stanford have permissive policies:
###University of Cambridge
The [2005 Ordinance on Intellectual Property Rights] (CHAPTER XIII : FINANCE AND PROPERTY - INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS) gives all researchers the ‘Freedom to make research public’
- University staff are entitled to decide that the results of any research undertaken by them in the course of their employment by the University shall be published or disseminated to other persons to use or disclose as they wish in accordance with normal academic practice.
However, if University staff decide that the results of their research should be commercialized, they should be aware that, in respect of patents and similar rights in inventions and new technology, protection for and subsequent commercialization of such inventions may be jeopardized if information about the inventions is made available to the public anywhere in the world before all relevant applications for protection have been lodged.
If any IP rights exist without need for formal application, for example copyright, then such rights belong to the creator, with the exception of works created for University administrative and managerial purposes. (even then, the Head of Department can authorise release ‘under Open Source rules or similar arrangements’)
###Stanford University
The Patent Policy allows:
The inventors, acting collectively where there is more than one, are free to place their inventions in the public domain if they believe that would be in the best interest of technology transfer and if doing so is not in violation of the terms of any agreements that supported or related to the work.
They have a seperate but equally permissive policy covering Tangible Research Property (TRP), which they state can include biological materials, engineering drawings, computer software, integrated circuit chips, computer databases, prototype devices, circuit diagrams, equipment, and associated research data.
A. Freedom of Access
The University’s Openness in Research Guidelines, adopted by the Senate in 1969, state:
“…that the principle of openness in research - the principle of freedom of access by all interested persons to the underlying data, to the processes, and to the final results of research - is one of overriding importance.”
Consistent with these Guidelines, it is Stanford’s policy to promote the prompt and open exchange of TRP and associated research data with scientific colleagues outside the investigator’s immediate laboratory.
So, if you need some examples of policies to put in front of people as positive examples, try these!
Jenny