I create a lot of stuff or my classes. That stuff belongs to me. The copyright of articles I write and publish are owned by the journal in which they appear, but conference papers and other such presentations . . . they're mine.

I agree its a sticky slope.

The UH of Hawaii sued 1 student over a 11 million dollar patent dispute.

My understanding was the student did not use school materials or on school time , however he did use his professor as a (question and answer man) - plus his course of study was directly related to his invention. They settled on a 50 , 50 split.

The UH does have pant loads of student patents in the schools name.

Excuse me... if I did it at home - the school does NOT own my time except the 40 hours I am there. (If they do, then pay me for 168 hours / week :-P ) YES I do some of their work at home- BUT how do you distinguish what's on MY time at home and my donated time to them at home? IF I used some of their facilities or equipment (even the Library) - then yes- that's theirs; but if I don't, they don't own me and 100% of my time.

However most schools are generous and give you a % of the royalties. Plus they cover patent costs and maintenance of those legal documents which are expensive (they have to be maintained each year.) So it's worth it to let them handle it.

Might be something about since the school paid for most of their education <- anything derived from that belongs to the school , if they were at school at that time.

I think they call that a admissions contract ? ?

I believe most teachers work on a salary not an hourly wage. Teachers are rather expected to work at home. So I suppose the school believes they own the poor sap.

Dave