[game_edu] inquiry from the press

[Elias.]

Hi Susan,

Most schools I have dealt with seem to leave IP with the student, but  
I did come across a couple that take partial or complete ownership of  
all IP produced by students completing a course of study...at that  
point I said NO THANKS and did not discuss collaboration with them any  
further...

I have no issue with a school taking a share of research/development I  
do with them (as staff or student) IF they also contribute to  
development and exploitation of the resulting IP (Stanford and MIT are  
usually cited as a prime example of this done well)...if it is just a  
means to hoover up IP, and there is no benefit to the student, then it  
seems egregious...

As to what we as a SIG could do, I am not sure - name and shame seems  
like a start, but there is no forum for that...lobbying might help,  
but I know the worst school I talked to told me where to shove my  
opinion...needless to say, I am not their target demographic though (I  
was discussing a staff role, and was not happy with their model - they  
charge students AND sell the IP)...

HTH

Elias.



On Oct 9, 2008, at 09:34, S.Gold wrote:


> I got a phone call this afternoon and wanted to share the gist of it  

> with you. I would also like to get your feedback (also let me know  

> if you want me to share it with the press).

>

> Apparently some schools retain the ownership of all projects created  

> by their students. This has made it difficult if not impossible for  

> graduates to publish their games after leaving the schools. What do  

> you think of these policies ... and is it something that the IGDA or  

> we as a SIG should/would want to look into and perhaps influence?

>

> Thanks,

> Susan