Memo: Why You Need to Sign BU’s IP Agreement, and Other FAQs Answered

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Last week, I sent a memo about BU’s recently revised Intellectual Property (IP) Policy, explaining why it is essential that BU faculty, staff, and PhD candidates (plus select students working on funded research projects) sign the IP Agreement. In light of the many thoughtful inquiries that have come in from across the BU community, we thought it would be helpful to share answers to some frequently asked questions.

Please read on to learn why this policy is so critical to research and intellectual life at BU. You will also find information to help you complete the agreement on the PolicyTech platform. Remember, the deadline for completion is Friday, June 14.

Why do I need to complete this agreement?

Federal research grants and most contracts with industry require that we have a signed IP policy on file. We require all faculty and most staff (only excluding non-exempt and non-compensated staff) to sign this policy so we can be sure all critical parties are covered by the policy protections. Consistent with the approach of peer universities, BU’s IP Policy sets out to protect the open and free exchange of ideas by ensuring all community members are operating under the same set of rules, mutually agreed upon through our IP Agreement.

But do I really need to complete it? My job doesn’t involve research.

Yes. This is a University-wide policy that applies to all faculty and staff described above, regardless of job responsibilities. It also applies to any students involved in BU research.

How do I sign the agreement?

Visit http://bostonuniversity.policytech.com, then use your Kerberos username and password to sign in. You will be prompted to read the policy language, to complete an acknowledgment of the agreement, and to submit your “answer” several times (worded as such because PolicyTech is typically used for policy comprehension quizzes). Step-by-step instructions can be downloaded in PDF, Word, or for screen readers.

I’m concerned that PolicyTech is a third-party platform. Is my data secure? 

Access to PolicyTech is controlled through BU’s Shibboleth, which provides secure, multi-organizational access to third-party resources across the University, PolicyTech being one of them. PolicyTech does not store any confidential data, only the names and email addresses used for distribution and whether or not the IP Agreement was completed. Learn more about BU’s Shibboleth on TechWeb.

What if I can’t complete the agreement by this Friday?

If you’re on vacation or otherwise unable to sign the agreement by the deadline, you will be able to sign the agreement whenever you return. After the deadline, the reminders to complete the agreement will become more frequent, but the platform will remain open. This will allow for all current employees to complete the task as they are able, as well as new employees, who will be prompted to do so during BU onboarding.

Where can I get more information?

You can review a full list of frequently asked questions or submit a new question on the Research Support site.

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