September 25, 2003
I. Purpose and Scope
The University of California Policy on Copyright Ownership (August 19, 1992) governs
works produced at, by, or through the University of California, including the Department
of Energy Laboratories.
The purpose of this Policy on Ownership of Course Materials is to supplement the
existing Copyright Ownership Policy by addressing copyright ownership issues related to
materials prepared for instructional purposes.
II. Definitions
A. For purposes of this Policy, the following definitions shall apply:
1. Course Materials
Materials prepared for use in teaching in any form, including, but not limited to, digital, print, audio, visual, or any combination thereof. Course materials include, but are not limited to, lectures, lecture notes and materials, syllabi, study guides, bibliographies, visual aids, images, diagrams, multimedia presentations, web- ready content, and educational software.
2. Course Approval Documents
Documents submitted, reviewed and approved pursuant to applicable Academic
Senate regulations related to the approval of courses of instruction, typically consisting of a course description, a statement of learning objectives and a topical outline.3. Exceptional University Resources
University Resources (including but not limited to University Facilities and University Funds, as described below) significantly in excess of the usual support generally available to similarly situated faculty members. Customary secretarial support, library facilities, office space, personal computers, access to computers and networks, and academic year salary are not considered exceptional university resources.
4. Designated Instructional Appointees
University employees who serve as Instructors of Record and have a general
obligation to produce course materials. Included are all members of the Academic Senate and Clinical Professors. Appointees in other academic titles may also be designated by the President.
B. The following definitions from the Policy on Copyright Ownership are also
applicable:
1. Originator(s)
One who produces a work by his or her own intellectual labor. When there is
more than one originator, the ownership of each originator's contribution shall be considered separately pursuant to this Policy.2. University Facilities
Buildings, equipment, and other facilities under the control of the University, that are designated by the appropriate Chancellor, Laboratory Director, or Vice
President as requiring an advance agreement, from non-University personnel and University personnel acting outside the scope of their employment, concerning the disposition of any copyrighted works that are originated with the use of these facilities. Such facilities normally include campus computer centers and normally do not include University libraries. For the purposes of this Policy, the Department of Energy Laboratories are considered to be under the control of the University.3. University Funds
Funds, regardless of source, that are administered under the control,
responsibility, or authority of the University.4. University Resources
University funds or facilities.
5. Work
Any copyrighted expression, including literary work (written lectures are
included); musical work including any accompanying words; dramatic work,
including any accompanying music; pantomimes and choreographic work;
pictorial, graphic, and sculptural work; motion pictures and other audiovisual
work; sound recordings; and computer software.
III. Ownership of Course Materials
A. Ownership of Course Materials Originated by Designated Instructional Appointees.
Except as provided below, ownership of the rights to Course Materials, including
copyright, shall reside with the Designated Instructional Appointee who creates them.
However, the University retains a fully paid-up, royalty-free, perpetual, and non-
exclusive worldwide license to any Course Approval Documents for the purpose of
continuing to teach the course of instruction for which the documents were prepared,
with the non-exclusive right to revise and update them as required for this purpose.
B. Personal Work, Student Work, Sponsored Work, Commissioned Work, and
Contracted Facilities Work.
Ownership of Course Materials that constitute Personal Works, Student Works,
Sponsored Works, Commissioned Works, or Contracted Facilities Works are defined in
and shall be governed by the Policy on Copyright Ownership.
C. Course Materials Created with the Use of Exceptional University Resources.
Ownership of the rights to Course Materials created, in whole or in part, by Designated
Instructional Appointees with the use of Exceptional University Resources shall be
governed by a written agreement entered into between the Originator(s) and the
University. The agreement shall specify how rights will be owned and controlled and
how any revenues will be divided if the materials are commercialized.
Chancellors and Laboratory Directors manage University Resources under their control.
Chancellors shall develop campus policies and procedures to assist campus resource
managers to determine when Exceptional University Resources are involved and will
assess the need for an agreement prior to the commitment of resources to a project to
which this provision might apply. The University may at any time request a new
agreement, or renegotiation of an existing agreement, as a condition for the subsequent
allocation or continuation of Exceptional University Resources provided to Designated
Instructional Appointees. In the absence of an agreement, course materials will not be
deemed as created with the use of Exceptional University Resources, and ownership of
these materials shall be governed by Sections III. A, III. B, and III.D. of this Policy.
To promote increased Universitywide understanding of the evolving circumstances of the
use of University resources in instruction, copies of all agreements for Course Materials
created with the use of Exceptional University Resources shall be filed with the UC
Standing Committee on Copyright.
D. Jointly Originated Works.
Ownership of rights to Course Materials that are created by the intellectual labor of more
than one person shall be owned jointly, pursuant to the provisions of the Policy on
Copyright Ownership, Section V. If Course Materials are created jointly, ownership of
those contributions of Designated Instructional Appointee(s) shall be governed by this
Policy, and the contribution of others shall be governed by the Policy on Copyright
Ownership. Ownership of the rights to jointly originated Works shall be determined by
separately assessing the Category of Work of each Originator pursuant to the Policy on
Copyright Ownership.
IV. Standing Committee on Copyright
To promote Universitywide consistency in the interpretation of this Policy and provide a
means for the University to gain the benefit of the diverse experiences of the campuses
and Laboratories, the Standing Committee on Copyright shall regularly review
implementation of this Policy and the agreements on Course Materials created with the
use of Exceptional University Resources. The Committee will make recommendations to
the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs for policy revisions or
implementation guidelines that may be needed to achieve these purposes.
V. Using Course Materials Developed for UC Outside the University
In using Course Materials outside the University of California, Designated Instructional
Appointees shall abide by applicable University policies including but not limited to:
Use of the University’s Name (DA 0864, May 3, 1985) and University Seal (DA
0865, May 3, 1985)
The Policy on Conflict of Commitment and Outside Activities of Faculty Members .
The prohibition on use of University facilities for commercial purposes (APM 015
Part II.C.3)
Electronic Communication Policy, especially Section III, Allowable Use .
Business and Finance Bulletin BUS-29, Section N, Personal Use of Property .
Policy and Guidelines on the Reproduction of Copyrighted Materials for Teaching
and Research.