[game_edu] student IP rights (was inquiry from the press)

[Joel Gonzales]

The event that showed how important IP ownership is for students was the
Slamdance competition last year. A game made by Digipen students was
withdrawn from the competition in protest over another entry's
disqualification.  It was reentered against the students' wishes because
Digipen owned the IP.

http://www.watercoolergames.org/archives/000728.shtml

For public universities, it's a murky question about who should own IP
because part of tuition is paid for by tax money. In private universities,
I don't feel there is a good reason for students not to own their IP.

It's great to hear about the many universities that do allow students to
own their IP.  I think it'd be great for the SIG/IGDA to look into this,
but I'm not sure what can be influenced.

(Yes, you can use my comments for the press)


-- 
Joel Gonzales
Department of Rock


> 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