Intellectual Property

Intellectual Property (IP) at Sheridan supports and encourages innovation and creativity. IP is defined as legal protection for a wide range of creations, from artwork to inventions, to computer applications and more.

Sheridan’s Intellectual Property Policy was created to set out Sheridan’s position on the creation, ownership, protection and communication of IP and applies to all members of Sheridan and our external partners.

Information for external partners

A partnership with Sheridan can help industry and community partners mitigate some of the risks and costs associated with innovation and growth. Sheridan’s IP expectation, in the majority of cases, is that IP will be assigned to any companies or external organizations engaged in an applied research project or collaboration with employees and/or students at Sheridan.

Employees and students participating in these projects must provide their informed consent and sign an Employee/Student Participation Agreement, which acknowledges the IP rights set out in the Collaborative Research Agreement between Sheridan and the external partner.

• Frequently asked questions about intellectual property for external/industry partners
• Sample agreement for collaborators

Information for Sheridan students

Intellectual property (IP) is defined as legal protection for a wide range of creations, from artwork to inventions to computer applications and more.

IP is relevant to you because, during your time here, you will likely be involved in the creation of many original works, either through the course of your normal studies or through involvement in research and capstone projects, often with industry partners.

Sheridan’s IP Policy protects your right to own any work you create or help to develop in the course of your time at Sheridan. Click on the links below to learn more about the steps you might need to take to protect your IP in different situations.

• Guidelines for students in capstones and other curricula-based scholarship, research and/or creative activities (unfunded)
• Guidelines for sponsored/funded research and other applied research requiring a formal agreement
• Frequently asked questions about intellectual property for students
• Student acknowledgment for informed consent of intellectual property

Information for Sheridan employees

Sheridan’s new IP Policy was created to streamline our approach to IP at Sheridan, protect the rights of IP creators, and further stimulate a culture of innovation and creativity.

Learn more about how this new policy directly affects you in your role at Sheridan:

• Frequently asked questions about intellectual property for employees
• Intellectual Property Disclosure Form

Contact information

If you have questions about intellectual property at Sheridan, please email ogc@sheridancollege.ca