An important component of the mission of the University of Toronto is for the institution to serve an internationally significant research role. Today's knowledge-based economy is dependent on new ideas and innovations, many of which derive from internationally significant research like that which is underway at UofTM. To contribute in a global context, where many countries are dependent on their own knowledge economics, all the members of our community should be aware of issues that surround intellectual property.
At its core, academic research requires all researchers, from students to senior faculty, to abide by the University of Toronto's intellectually property policies, while respecting the intellectual property rights of others. This guide is intended to provide a concise summary of the policies and academic practices concerning intellectual property that are in place at UofTM and across U of T.
U of T Mississauga is one part of an expansive research institution—the University of Toronto is Canada's largest and most distinguished university, with active research across three campuses and in its nine fully affiliated hospitals. In such a complex research environment it can be easy for misunderstandings to arise about the intellectual property rights and obligations that students and faculty have with respect to each other, the University, other colleagues, or even a granting agency or company funding the research activities.
Intellectual property issues in such an academic environment can only be assessed by considering four distinct elements: