De La Salle University’s IP Policies

1.     Introduction

As an Institution of higher learning, De La Salle University-Manila is committed to provide an atmosphere that supports the research and scholarly works of its faculty, students and staff.

 

The University acknowledges the necessity to provide policies to promote and encourage excellence, creativity and innovation in research and other scholarly works by identifying and protecting the rights of the University, its faculty, staff and students.  

These policies are intended to provide the basic framework for the treatment by the University of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). They are stated in broad terms in order for the details of the policies to evolve from their interpretation and application in individual cases. The policies are not meant to be mechanically applied, but should be interpreted in terms of two major concerns of the university. First, the university, as a resource of Church and State, is committed to the use of inventions and intellectual creations for the common good. Second, the university is committed to scholarship and individual academic freedom of its faculty, students and staff to write and publish.

2.     Definition of Terms

Unless otherwise specified, the following terms shall have the meaning provided in these policies:

2.1      “Author” means the natural person who originates, gives existence to or expresses an idea and transforms it into some tangible form under copyright law.

    2.2      “Commissioned Work” or “Work for Hire” means a work where the University specifically commissions or hires a University employee or any third person to create a work for a fee and which the University on one hand and the inventor, author or third party on the other expressly agree in a written instrument that it be considered as such. The University shall own the intellectual property of the commissioned work, unless otherwise provided in the contract.

    2.3     “Copyrightable Work” means any literary or artistic work, whether original or derivative, which has been expressed or done in some tangible form as enumerated under Sections 172 and 173 of the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines. 

    2.4     “IP Policies” means the Policies on Intellectual Property of De La Salle University and its amendments.

    2.5     “Intellectual Property” means any property defined as such by the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (RA 8293) such as, but not limited to, patents,  patentable inventions, utility models, industrial designs, layout designs of integrated circuits, marks, copyright, computer software, technical know-how, trade secrets and plant varieties.

    2.6      “Inventor” means a person who creates or discovers a new method, form, device, process or composition of matter which is patentable under the law.

    2.7     “Invention” means a novel creation, discovery, idea or device that may be patented under the law.

    2.8    “Patent” is a statutory monopoly which protects the owner against unlicensed use of the patented product or process or any improvement thereof.

    2.9    “Regularly-assigned duties” means the work, duty or responsibility of the university employee as enumerated in the job description or employee/faculty manual, or the regular duties assigned by a superior as part of his/her regular workload. Works submitted to the university as a requirement for continued employment or promotion shall be considered as work done according to the regularly assigned duties of the university employee.  In cases of copyright, however, the ownership of  works submitted by a university employee as a requirement for promotion, longevity pay or research incentive pay under the faculty manual shall not be considered as work done according to the regularly-assigned duties of the university employee and shall, therefore,  be owned by the author.  This is subject to the provision on copyright under section 6.1 of these policies.  

    2.10    “Students” shall have the same meaning as defined in the DLSU Student’s Handbook and the DLSU Graduate Student’s Handbook.

    2.11     “Substantial Use of the facilities and/or resources of the University” means either that:
a)     University funds were used to specifically support the development of the intellectual property;

            b)     The work could not have been developed or created without using the facilities or resources of the University; or

            c)     There is use of resources of the University that are not ordinarily available to most university employees and students such as, but not limited to,  laboratories and technical computer software.  

        However, the use of office, library, computers and servers of the university shall not constitute substantial use of University facilities and resources.    

2.12    “Trademark” or “Mark” means a distinctive word, design, symbol, logo or any combination of word and design that identifies and distinguishes the goods or services of one from that of another.

2.13    “University” refers to De La Salle University.

2.14     “University employees” refer to teaching and/or research faculty, academic service faculty, academic service personnel and co-academic personnel whether part-time, full-time, contractual or casual employees of De La Salle University.  It shall also refer to visiting professors or other persons who have official teaching, research or other academic engagement with the University.

2.15     “Work/s” shall mean any kind of intellectual property.

3.    Coverage of these Policies

3.1    These policies apply to university employees, students and such other persons who participate in research and other scholarly projects at the University. The policies cover all kinds of intellectual properties under the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (RA 8293) and related laws.

4.    Prior Disclosure Requirement

4.1    All persons subject to these policies are required to promptly disclose all inventions and other scholarly works in which the University has or may have an ownership interest under Sections 5.2 and 6.2 of these policies, or for which disclosure is required by contract or law.  Disclosure shall be made in writing by submitting a Disclosure Form to the Associate Vice-Chancellor for Research and Learning (AVCREL)  and copy furnished the Director of the Intellectual Property Office of the University.

4.2    All contracted works by university employees from third parties must have the express written approval of the University.  Where the work was developed through an agreement between the University and a third party, the ownership of the intellectual property shall be subject to the terms of the contract.

5.     Ownership of Patent

5.1    Owned by Inventor

    Rights to patents shall belong to the inventor except in the instances stated in section 5.2 of these policies.

    Notwithstanding ownership of the inventor of his works, the university or any member of the academic community is allowed, without infringing any intellectual property right, free access to and use of their works to pursue or develop them for academic purposes.

5.2    Owned by the University

    Rights to Patent shall belong to the University if any one of the following circumstances exists:  

    (a)     The invention was developed as part of the regularly-assigned duties of the inventor; 

    (b)     The invention was developed using funds provided or administered by or through the University; 

    (c)     The invention was developed making substantial use of the facilities or resources of the University; 

    (d)     Commissioned work by the University or “Work for Hire”; 

    (e)    The ownership of the invention was assigned by the inventor to the university; and 

    (f)     In case of students, the invention or work was developed when he/she received financial support from the University in the form of tuition waiver, scholarship, stipend or allowance regardless of the amount.

    (g)       Works whose inventors cannot be determined.

5.3    Externally Funded or Sponsored

    If the patentable invention arose or was related to an undertaking covered by distinct agreement of the inventor and a third party using funds not administered by or through the University or  where the University has no claim of ownership under Section 5.2, the terms of the agreement will prevail over these policies. In the absence of any contrary provision in the agreement, these policies shall apply to externally funded or sponsored research.  

5.4    Student Works

In the case of student works produced and submitted as class assignments or as course requirements, these works are owned by the students, unless it falls under the instances stated in section 5.2, except paragraph (a).  The University may claim  rights over the patent over works contributed by University employees in the course of their mentoring assignment as part of their regularly-assigned duties.  In cases not falling under section 5.2, the faculty member/s and the student/s concerned may enter into an agreement prior to the mentoring engagement specifying, among others, the ownership of the intellectual property and the sharing of royalties.  In case there is no agreement, the ownership of the patent shall belong to the student.

Notwithstanding ownership by students of their works, the university or any member of the academic community is allowed, without infringing any intellectual property right, free access to and use of the student works to pursue or develop them for academic purposes.

5.5    Reversion of Ownership

In the event that the University decides not to file a patent application or claim ownership of the patent under paragraph 5.2 within one hundred (100) days from receipt of the patent disclosure form of the invention, ownership of the invention or the work shall automatically revert to the inventor subject to the agreement, if any, entered into by the University with a funding or sponsoring agency prior to the research.

5.6    Assignment of Royalty

In cases where the patent rights belong to the University under section 5.2, it may, at its own discretion, assign royalty shares to the inventor.  The royalty sharing shall be based on the implementing rules and regulations of these IP Policies to be hereinafter adopted, unless there is an agreement to contrary.

5.7    Assignment of Patent

5.7.1     In cases covered by section 5.2, the inventor shall execute a deed of assignment of patent together with the disclosure form required under paragraph 2.1 of these policies in favor of the University.

5.7.2     In cases where the inventor  assigns the patent rights to the University, the University shall take care of the filing of the patent and the payment of the filing and maintenance fees.

5.8    Outside Consultants and Independent Contractors

5.8.1     The University shall own the patent of any work produced by non-university employees who are contracted to perform certain work for the university as consultants or independent contractors, unless specified otherwise in a written agreement between the parties.

5.8.2    The University shall own the patent of any work produced by university  employees under the instances mentioned in section 5.2 of these policies  who are acting as consultants or independent contractors of third parties, unless there is an agreement to the contrary between the University and the third party.

6.     Ownership of Copyright

6.1    Owned by Author

    Rights to copyright shall belong to the author for as long as the work was not funded or in any manner financially supported by the University, whether or not it is part of the regular duties of the author, subject to exceptions stated in section 6.2 of these policies.

    In case of multiple authors, ownership shall be determined by stipulation of the parties.  In case there is no stipulation, the AVCREL shall assist the parties in determining the authors’ respective ownership in the work.  In case the authors cannot agree, they shall have equal shares in the ownership of the intellectual property.

    Notwithstanding ownership of the author of his works, the university or any member of the academic community is allowed, without infringing any intellectual property right, free access to and use of their works to pursue or develop them for academic purposes.

6.2    Owned by the University

    Rights to Copyright shall belong to the University if any one of the following circumstances exist:   

(a)    the work was done using funds provided or administered by or through the    University; 

(b)     the work was done making substantial use of the facilities or resources of the University; 

(c)     commissioned work by the University or “Work for Hire”; 

(d)     teaching or training  materials or modules created as part of the regularly-assigned duties of the university employee; 

(e)     the ownership of the copyright was assigned by the author to the university;

(f)     In case of students, the work was developed or created when he/she received financial support from the University in the form of tuition waiver, scholarship, stipend or allowance regardless of the amount; and

(g)    Works whose authorship cannot be determined.

6.3    Externally Funded or Sponsored Work

    If the work arose or was related to an undertaking covered by distinct agreement of the author and a third party using funds not administered by or through the University or where the University has no claim of ownership under Section 6.2, the terms of the agreement will prevail over these policies. In the absence of any contrary provision in the agreement, these policies shall apply to externally funded or sponsored research.  

6.4    Student Works

In the case of student works produced and submitted as class assignments or as course requirements, these works are owned by the students, unless it falls under the instances stated in section 6.2, except paragraph (a).  The University may claim  copyright over works contributed by University employees in the course of their mentoring assignment as part of their  regularly-assigned duties.  In cases not falling under section 6.2, the faculty member/s and the student/s concerned may enter into an agreement prior to the mentoring engagement specifying, among others, the ownership of the intellectual property and the sharing of royalties.  In case there is no agreement, the ownership of the patent shall belong to the student.

Notwithstanding ownership by students of their works, the university or any member of the academic community is allowed, without infringing any intellectual property right, free access to and use of the student works to pursue or develop them for academic purposes.

6.5    Reversion of Ownership

In the event that the University decides not to claim ownership over the work under paragraph 6.2 within one hundred (100) days from receipt of the copyright disclosure form of the work, ownership of the copyright shall automatically revert to the author subject to the agreement, if any, entered into by the University with a funding or sponsoring agency prior to the research.

6.6    Assignment of Royalty

In cases where the copyright belongs to the University under section 6.2, it may, at its own discretion, assign royalty shares to the inventor.  The royalty sharing shall be based on the implementing rules and regulations of these IP Policies to be hereinafter adopted, unless there is an agreement to contrary.

6.7    Assignment of Copyright

    6.7.1     In cases covered by section 6.2, the author shall execute a deed of assignment of copyright together with the disclosure form required under paragraph 2.1 of these policies in favor of the University.

    6.7.2     The University shall be responsible for submitting copies of the work to the National Library and Supreme Court Library or to the appropriate government agency.

    6.8    Outside Consultants and Independent Contractors

    6.8.1      The University shall own the copyright of any works produced by non-university employees  who are contracted to perform work for the university as consultants or independent contractors, unless specified otherwise in a written agreement between the parties.

    6.8.2    The University shall own the copyright of any work produced by university employees under the instances mentioned in section 6.2 of these policies who are acting as consultants or independent contractors of third parties, unless there is an agreement to the contrary between the University and the third party.

7.    Ownership of Trademark

The University exclusively owns the trade marks, service marks, emblems, logos, symbols and other marks that it uses and distributes in relation to its goods or services.  The rules on the use, exploitation and distribution of these marks, logos and symbols are contained in specific University policy and guidelines on the use of trademarks now existing or to be adopted in the future.  The Strategic Communications Office (SCO) shall be responsible for the registration and management of all marks of the University.  It also has the sole authority to engage in or approve the development, design and sale of merchandise with the registered marks of the University.

8.    University Information 

    All persons covered by these policies are not allowed to divulge any information arising from research, patentable device or technology, trade secrets or other related information which are necessary for the protection the intellectual property rights of the University.  In case of doubt as to the nature of the university information, the party concerned should secure a clearance from the AVCREL before divulging any information.

9.     Functions of the DLSU Intellectual Property Office (DIPO)

    The DLSU Intellectual Property Office (DIPO), which shall also act as the Technology Licensing  Office (TLO) of the University, is an office under the Office of the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Learning which was established to implement the IP Policies of the University.  The IPO is headed by a Director and  shall have the following functions:

a)     Oversees all activities directly related to the management, development and protection of the University’s intellectual property;
b)  Assists in the drafting of contracts, agreements, affidavits, patent applications and other documents which are necessary to protect the intellectual property rights of the University;
c)     Recommends appropriate actions for enforcement of intellectual property rights and coordinates with the University Legal Counsel for the filing of appropriate actions and other measures to protect the intellectual property rights of the University;
d)     Answers queries from faculty, students and staff in matters pertaining to the protection of intellectual property;
e)     As a TLO, assists in the evaluation of  the commercial potential of works and assists in technology commercialization activities referred to it by the University;
f)     As a TLO, assists in the negotiation of licensing agreements, joint ventures, spin-offs and other similar contracts referred to it by the University;
g)     Reviews contracts and other agreements concerning intellectual property matters referred to it by University;
h)     Initiates the creation and revision of University policies, strategies, guidelines and procedures concerning intellectual property;
i)     Coordinates activities with the other units in the University to promote awareness and compliance to intellectual property laws and policies;
j)  Prepares and executes a system for documenting and tracking University-owned intellectual property;
k)      Represents the University in Intellectual Property organizations, associations and societies;
l)   Proposes and defends budget for activities related to its functions;
m)   Approves and monitors expenses for activities related to its functions.

10.    Intellectual Property Offenses 

    The University recognizes the exclusive rights of inventors, authors and artists over their intellectual property creations.  For this reason, it shall protect the rights of the owners of intellectual property over all forms of infringement such as:

a)    Photocopying of printed materials  or copying of computer software without the permission of the author/s or creator/s, subject to the rules on fair use of copyrighted work and the other exceptions thereto as stated in the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (RA 8293);

b)    Use, distribution, transfer, rental, sale or production of counterfeit, unlicensed or pirated  intellectual property contained in optical media as defined under the Optical Media Act of 2003 (RA 9239);

c)    Violation of the confidentiality rule under Section 8 of these policies;

d)    Deliberate failure to comply with the prior disclosure requirement under Section 4 of these policies;

e)    Unauthorized use, distribution, transfer, rental, sale or production of university-owned intellectual property;

f)    Plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty;

g)    All other acts analogous to the foregoing.

11.    Establishment of the University Committee on Intellectual Property (UCIP)

The University Committee on Intellectual Property (UCIP) shall be constituted for the following purposes:

a)    To administer and interpret these IP policies.  

b)    To determine the rights of parties to the intellectual property for the purpose of settling disputes limited to the ownership of intellectual property and sharing of royalties. 

c)    To adjudicate disputes concerning implementation and interpretation of these IP policies.  

d)    To recommend changes to these IP policies.

The UCIP shall be headed by the Associate Vice-Chancellor for Research and Learning and will be composed of the Director of the Intellectual Property Office, the University Legal Counsel and two (2) retired University fellows as members.  The UCIP shall invite the following sectoral representatives if the issue in dispute involves their particular sector: (1) Student Representative (for issues concerning students); (2) Faculty Association Representative (for issues concerning teaching and/or research faculty members); and (3) Staff Representative (for issues concerning academic service faculty/personnel and co-academic personnel).

12.   Penalties    

Any person found to have violated any of the provisions of these policies shall be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the faculty, student, staff, administrative or applicable employment manual/handbook.  All items in Section 10 shall be considered as major offenses.

13.      Waiver of IP Policy
The University President, in his own initiative or through the recommendation of the University Committee on Intellectual Property (UCIP), shall have the sole discretion to waive or vary any or all of the provisions of these policies on a case-to-case basis if a strict application of these policies shall not result in fairness and equity in a particular case.  A waiver or variance of the intellectual property policies made in one case shall not serve as a precedent to any future or subsequent case.

14.    Amendment or Revision 

    Any university employee or student may propose changes to these IP Policies by writing a letter addressed the AVCREL specifying the proposed changes and the reasons for the proposed changes.  The UCIP shall make an annual review of these IP Policies in one of its meetings.

15.     Repealing Clause

    These IP Policies supersede the previous IP Policies and its subsequent revision dated June 25, 2008 and February 11, 2009 respectively.  All other University policies inconsistent with these policies are repealed accordingly.

16.      Effectivity Clause

    These Revised  IP Policies shall take effect immediately upon its approval on July 7, 2010.