E-learning program guidance

The Intellectual Property Office has been involved with the team at HEFCE who have been developing guidance on e-learning projects. Their report is available. A higher education institution's (HEI's) IPR strategy will depend on its business and dissemination model. This guidance attempts to structure such a framework and includes sample contracts and clauses. This guidance follows further IP case studies in e-learning programmes, particularly overseas projects.

Following advice on IPR issues will allow institutions to protect their rights and those of their staff and students. Higher education institutions need to make IPR management central to the planning and implementation of any e-learning programme and staff training should be a priority. The key points are:

• Every HEI needs to establish a clear codes of practice.
• Every programme maker needs to follow a basic legal framework
• HEIs should own the IPR in materials created by staff, and staff contracts should make this explicit.
• Where HEIs collaborate, a consortium agreement should be agreed before work commences.
• Licensing agreements should be used to protect the IPR in e learning material
• The use of technological measures to protect IPR in UK and international programmes is recommended.
• Institutions should be as keen to educate their authors about IPR as they are to claim ownership over the work.
• HEIs should set up a incentive system for staff.
• If the material is produced as a result of public monies, then free licences in the UK are normal practice.