Instructional Leadership, emphasis: K-12 School Leadership (MEd)
Two individuals sitting at a table, one using a laptop computer and the other observing. The laptop screen displays 'Northern Arizona University' text. The individuals are wearing casual clothing, including a baseball cap.
ON THIS PAGE
    HOW CAN WE HELP?
    1. IN
    2. NAU Research
    3. Innovations
    4. Tech transfer
    5. Innovator resources
    6. Information for student inventors

    Information for student inventors

    Student guide 

    NAU Innovations is the designated unit for ensuring that Northern Arizona University complies with ABOR Intellectual Property Policy 6-908.  Innovations follow this policy to determine ownership of intellectual property developed at NAU and help protect and commercialize intellectual property that is owned by ABOR and NAU.   

    What is IP? Who owns it? Why is it important? 

    Intellectual property (IP) refers to creations of human intellect that can be commercialized—that is, licensed for profit. There are federal, state, and international laws regulating the use of IP. Patents, copyrights, and trademarks are some of the ways that creators can legally protect their IP from unauthorized use and earn recognition (and sometimes royalties) for their IP. 

    Examples of IP 

    • As a music major, you may compose a piece of music for the cello. The composition is considered IP.
    • As a computer science major, you may develop software that enables researchers to run genetic sequences. The software program is considered IP.
    • As a health sciences major, you may develop a new assay to test for jungle fever. The assay is considered IP.

    Do I own IP I developed at NAU? 

    An Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) policy governs the ownership of IP developed at NAU (see section A3, “Student-Created Works” of ABOR Policy 6-908). Here are some examples of ownership scenarios based on this policy: 

    If you are an undergraduate student and you… 

    • Created IP as a result of classwork and/or for a student dissertation or capstone project intended to fulfill degree requirements at the university, you own that IP. Contact Will Aylor for more information. 
    • Are employed by NAU as a student worker, ABOR would own the IP you created as part of your employment at NAU. 
    • Developed IP as part of a research project carried out under the direction of NAU faculty or staff, ABOR would own the IP. 
    • Developed IP as part of a sponsored research project that was funded by NAU directly or through funds administered by NAU, ABOR would own the IP. 

    If you are a graduate student and you… 

    Are under an assistantship of any kind, you are considered an employee of NAU and ABOR would own the IP you created as part of your employment at NAU. 

    Learn more

    If ABOR owns the IP created, you may be considered an Inventor for the purposes of protection and commercialization of the IP.  You can learn more about IP rights and responsibilities by visiting Intellectual Property. If you have questions about IP, ownership, rights and responsibilities, or any other IP questions, reach out to the NAU Innovations team at nauinnovations@nau.edu.