Overview of the University of Michigan Copyright Policy
The following is a brief outline of the principles of the University of Michigan Copyright Policy as it relates to the copyrighted work of faculty, staff, and students, as well as work by independent contractors or other non-employees.
1) Faculty As a general rule, faculty (including adjuncts, part-time faculty, and emeriti) hold the rights to the scholarly works they produce, both research papers and teaching materials. There are three main exceptions where the University may own the copyright. The first is material (scholarly or administrative) that has been directly assigned or has been created as a specific duty of employment. The second is material created with the support of external grants (government or foundation), in which case the terms of the grant are controlling as far as copyright ownership is concerned. The third is material created with the support of "unusual" University resources, where "unusual" refers to money or facilities provided by the University which in quantity or kind go beyond what is normally made available to one's cohorts in one's department or other academic unit.
If you are unsure whether the support was "unusual" and therefore whether you are entitled to the copyright in your work, you should ask your department chair or unit director for a determination, preferably in writing. If you disagree and are unable to resolve the matter informally, you are entitled to file a formal appeal with the Office of Provost.
2) Staff Materials created by staff as part of their job responsibilities are considered "work made for hire". The copyright in such work automatically belongs to the University.
3) Students The copyright on academic materials (term papers, theses, etc.) created by students in their capacity as students belongs to them. If students create material as a result of employment with the University, for example as graduate student instructors or research assistants, the copyright in such work belongs to the University.
4) Others U-M's general policy is to claim copyright ownership of materials created for the University by persons who are not U-M faculty, staff, or students. However, this is subject to contractual agreement to be worked out between the parties. Any such copyright agreement must be in writing and signed by the University and the other party.
