Recently, I came across this article.
It is about the confusion that arises when students create inventions for school projects. Sometimes, there is a potential that their inventions could really be produced, perhaps resulting in profits or helping the world in some way. Unfortunately, our legal system gets pretty technical about things like this, and it's possible that, in many scenarios, the school district actually owns the rights to these inventions!
Read the article and let us know what you think. Does this make sense to you? How can a student protect his or her intellectual property? What ways do you see this affecting your future or maybe you can already think of similar situations? Share below! If you want full credit, make sure to CLEARLY reference the article as part of your talking points.
I feel that the district has no right to claim possession and/or profit of a student-made app or invention. I feel this because, as stated in the article, the U.S patent law grants full sole priority to the inventor, and although schools or districts can try to prove they deserve glory or a cut of the profit because of the labs and equipment the students used to create their projects, the situation must be stated in a contract before the invention process began, which legally, students under the age of 18 don't have to sign because of being a minor. I feel a student can protect his/her intellectual property by, as also stated in the article, keeping an "inventors notebook" stating how the project evolved from step 1 to the finished product, which can help in the recent patent law change which states that the patent rights do not necessarily go to the inventor, but rather it may now go to the first person to file for protection. Also, a student may be able to save and protect his/her intellectual invention by keeping the preparation and evolving of their project a secret, so that word doesn't get around and somebody doesn't file for a patent before you get the chance to, thus stealing your invention. For example, you could ask your teacher if you may have access to a science lab or facility "after school hours" to work on a "small project." I can see this situation affecting my future because I believe some of the tips about "invention protection" can maybe help keep some of my future inventions from being dispersed to the general public, and can maybe even save a future million-dollar, one of a kind invention, from being a commonly-used, household gadget!
ReplyDeleteVery thoughtful and informed response!
DeleteI think that students with a creative mind and the intellectual ability should keep in mind their ideas, write down the ideas and put them in a shoe box. Later, when you graduate, you can dig out your ideas and publish them.
ReplyDeleteIn the article it says, "'Whether students attempt to obtain patents or not, they can protect their work now,'" Tratos said"
Then the district won't take credit for them and you will.
Good idea, Jason!
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