Work for Hire

When working with a third party, they may provide an agreement containing the phrase 'work for hire”, meaning the work a faculty or staff member conducts relinquishes intellectual property to the third party. This type of arrangement conflicts with RIT’s standard copyright and publication and IP policies found here - https://www.rit.edu/policies/c032 and https://www.rit.edu/policies/c030.

Sponsored Research Services cannot negotiate or enter into these types of arrangements on behalf of RIT.

If the third party agrees to convert a work-for-hire arrangement into a sponsored research agreement, SRS is able to negotiate.   

For a faculty member wishing to conduct work for hire effort, independent consulting remains a viable option provided it does not conflict with section III.S of https://www.rit.edu/policies/c030 .

For specific concerns, please contact SRS at postaward@rit.edu .