Administrative Policies

Intellectual Property

Policy Number: 3.3.5

Current Effective Date: 08/27/2024

Original Effective Date: 06/22/1998

Revision Dates: 03/05/2004, 10/28/2008, 08/27/2024

Revision Number: 3

Revision Summary:

Responsible Official: KCTCS President

References: Administrative Procedure 3.3.5-P

1.     Purpose

This policy outlines KCTCS’ structure for encouraging innovation and protecting the intellectual property rights of stakeholders.   

2.     Scope

This Policy applies to all KCTCS faculty, staff and students using KCTCS funds, facilities or other resources. Contracts between KCTCS and independent contractors should define the respective rights and responsibilities of the parties with respect to ownership of any intellectual property.

3.     Policy 

A.    General

KCTCS is committed to fostering a culture of innovation for its faculty, staff, and students. KCTCS supports innovation in a variety of ways, including but not limited to access to external resources and professional development; a process for determining shared ownership of intellectual property, as applicable; equitable assignment of interests and proceeds in shared intellectual property, and assistance with the protection and commercialization of intellectual property.

B.    Copyright 

KCTCS expects employees and students to adhere to United States copyright law in creating works that rely on copyrighted material. Library Services annually distributes copyright information resources to educate students and employees.

4.     Responsible Parties                                

A.    KCTCS President 

The KCTCS President is responsible for ensuring compliance with this policy and all applicable laws, regulations and procedures related to intellectual property. The KCTCS President delegates the authority to implement this policy to the Intellectual Property Committee, the Provost Office, and the Office of General Counsel. The KCTCS President shall appoint members to the Intellectual Property Committee on an annual basis.

B.    Intellectual Property Committee

The Intellectual Property Committee (IPC) is a standing committee established to administer this policy and any applicable procedure. 

1. Membership. Members shall by appointed by the KCTCS President and shall serve for a term of one year. Members may be reappointed for up to three consecutive years. The committee’s membership shall include faculty, staff, and student representatives to provide broad technical expertise across various disciplines. Representatives from the Provost Office and the Office of General Counsel shall serve as ex-officio members. Any member of this committee ceases to be eligible for membership and ceases to serve on this committee upon termination of his or her respective relationship with KCTCS.
2. Policy Review. This policy and any applicable procedure shall be reviewed by the IPC on at least a biannual basis. 

C.    Office of General Counsel

The General Counsel and/or designee(s) shall serve as: 

1. an ex-officio member; and
2. legal counsel to the IPC.                                                                   

D.    Provost Office

The Provost and/or designee(s) shall: 

1. serve as the point of contact for the IPC;
2. serve as the point of contact for external stakeholders; and
3. serve as an ex-officio member.

E.    Chief Academic Officers

The Chief Academic Officers shall:

1. serve as the initial point of contact for faculty, staff, and students at their respective colleges; and
2. notify the Provost and/or designee(s) of any question(s), issue(s) or potential invention(s) that fall within the scope of this policy.

5.     Procedure

KCTCS Administrative Procedure 3.3.5-P implements this policy.