Issue link: https://htpgraphics.uberflip.com/i/116727
Intellectual Property Section 1 Q: If I write up an experiment, does the fact that the written piece of work is protected by copyright prevent anyone from using the results or other information contained in it? A: No. Copyright only protects the manner in which you have expressed yourself i.e. the text, style and layout of the written document. It does not protect your ideas, results or conclusions. Whilst another person would be prevented from copying your write-up word for word or in a manner which was substantially similar to yours, they would not be prevented from using the results or other information. This can instead be protected as confidential information (see Know-How section on page 9) but you need to keep the written work secret. Q: I have been recently asked by a publisher to waive my moral rights in an article I have written. What does this mean? A: Moral Rights are personal rights which belong to the author (e.g. the writer) of a piece of work. They are nothing to do with what is right or wrong! Moral Rights include the right of an author to be identified as such. This right has to be specifically asserted to be effective i.e. just write on the work: "Joe Bloggs has asserted his right, under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, to be identified as the author of this work." Other moral rights include the right not to have your work altered in any derogatory manner and the right not to have the work of somebody else falsely attributed to you. These do not have to be asserted. Moral Rights do not exist in computer software or in any work created by an employee. Whilst Moral Rights cannot be transferred, they can be waived. However, there is no reason why you should automatically agree to waive yours. Always check with your supervisor or relevant institution representative. 9