Laws governing university ownership of paleontological specimens and resources, and attempts by the federal government to claim ownership, are discussed. A 1993 court case and its implications for universities are reviewed; and current statutes, regulations, and proposed legislation are examined. Guidelines for university paleontologists in…

The debate over whether patents should be granted to the first applicant to file, advocated by some industrialists, or to the applicant who first invented is examined. Relevant patent priority laws are outlined, arguments on both sides are presented, the arguments are related to universities, and ways in which university concerns can be met and…

Declining federal support for scientific research has led colleges and universities to turn increasingly to business for help. Ralph Nader recently complained that business threatens to take over the university. Closer examination suggests there is a problem but somewhat different and harder to resolve than that suggested by Nader. (Author/MSE)

It is proposed that the principle of academic freedom in research is a myth, and the reality is a tension between the ideals of open inquiry and professors' freedom of choice. A procedural device, a standing committee to review research grants and make choices about external funding, is recommended. (MSE)

It is proposed that the attorney-client privilege of confidentiality may be more important in the case of the university attorney than in the situation of the attorney representing the client as a law firm member. The principle is illustrated in a hypothetical case concerning research fraud. (MSE)

A review of the literature and a survey of 98 collegiate licensing programs and 6 sport licensing programs were used to develop an optimal administrative model for collegiate licensing. Specific administrative recommendations concerning staffing, inventory, trademarks, written policies, exclusivity, innovative agreements, product samples,…

Features of the federal income tax law applying to income received from commercially funded university-based scientific research and development activities are discussed, including: industry-sponsored research contracts, separately incorporated entities, partnerships and joint ventures, subsidiaries and unrelated income consequences of…

Proposed changes to patent law that would seriously affect university research administration are evaluated. These concern changing award of patent rights from the "first person to invent" to "first person to file patent application," establishing exemption from liability for infringement in some cases, and establishing a simplified provisional…

Implications of public disclosure laws, both state and federal, for university research culture and practices are examined. Issues discussed include research documentation, funding, scientific norms, patent rights for federally funded inventions, the university-industry research relationship, academic freedom, and the Freedom of Information Act.…

Instances in which federal patent or copyright law may be too rigid or limited to protect university research are discussed, and the applicability of trade-secrets law is assessed, particularly under the Freedom of Information Act. Differential treatment of trade secrets under state laws is considered. (MSE)

Whether governmental funding of academic research entitles the government to impose secrecy conditions on research results is discussed. It is proposed that, although some restraints may be legitimate exercises of government discretion in spending public funds, there may be a limit to those restrictions, based on the recipient's constitutional…

Academicians can determine by their own acts whether outsiders can, by subpoena, compel disclosure of their research. Institutional employment policies limiting the amount and nature of outside consultation and information policies establishing the confidentiality of data acquired in research will limit the extent to which disclosure can be…

Universities experience pressures for secrecy in research, often imposed by the government, for national security reasons. Institutions face major policy issues regarding sponsorship of research, conflicts of interest, and intellectual property rights. However, universities are urged to consider that the free flow of information is vital to the…

A discussion of academic freedom focuses on the academic community's relationship with federal intelligence agencies, including classification of research results and covert activity on campus. The American Association of University Professors' principles concerning the ethics of these issues are outlined, as drawn from several recent association…