Intellectual property  in  work-integrated learning (WIL) experiences

As a Waterloo student, you may engage in work-integrated learning (WIL) courses, like a capstone, that involve working with a community or industry partner. These experiences may raise intellectual property (IP) questions. Use this resource to help you understand what intellectual property is, how it applies to activities you’re engaged in during your academic career and navigate your IP-related questions.

Important note: This web page and the information contained in it is not legal advice. All participants in WIL experiences are encouraged to consult their own legal counsel as necessary on issues related to intellectual property rights and ownership.

If you have questions about who owns the work you create in a course-based project, intellectual property rights or an agreement you’ve been asked to sign, you may wish to seek independent legal advice.

Through the WUSA Student Legal Protection Program and the GSA Legal Care Program, eligible students can access legal consultations on a wide range of legal matters. A lawyer may be able to review your specific circumstances and provide legal advice tailored to your situation. Additional services may be available beyond the initial consultation, with coverage determined on a case-by-case basis.

Understanding intellectual property

Intellectual Property (IP) refers to creations of the mind that may be protected by law or policy.  Ideas alone are not protected; the products must be in a tangible form, such as drawings, reports, presentations, data, computer software, plans or specifications. Then they can become intellectual property and be protected by laws or policy.

LEARN about intellectual property

The Intellectual Property Literacy course in LEARN introduces tje fundamentals of intellectual property and commercialization. You will learn about:

  • different types of IP (patent, trademark, copyright etc.)
  • confidential information
  • navigating collaborations
  • commercialization basics

To add the Intellectual Property Literacy course in LEARN:

  1. Log in to Waterloo LEARN
  2. Click on Self Registration in the navigation menu
  3. Locate the Intellectual Property Literacy course in the list and click on it
  4. Confirm and register for the course

You now have access to the Intellectual Property Literacy LEARN course and can access it from your class list under "ongoing courses".

Discussing intellectual property with your project partner

At the University of Waterloo, students generally own the intellectual property they create as part of academic work completed for course credit under Policy 73 - Intellectual Property Rights. This may give you opportunities to develop, share, publish, or commercialize your work. However, exceptions apply and, in general, the University’s internal policies do not apply to third parties external to the University.

Before beginning a project with a community or industry partner, it is important to understand whether there are any agreements, confidentiality requirements, or other expectations that could affect how your work may be used, shared or commercialized. It is also important to have a conversation with your partner about IP and to seek independent legal advice if you have questions about your rights or obligations.

Use the following questions to ask your partner how IP, confidentiality, and future use of the work will be handled. They are intended to clarify expectations; not replace a review of any agreement you may be asked to sign or provide independent legal advice about your specific circumstances.

Understanding expectations

  • Under University of Waterloo’s Policy 73 – Intellectual Property Rights, students generally own intellectual property they create as part of academic work completed for course credit. Does your organization have any intellectual property policy that applies to students working on projects?  

  • Will I be asked to sign any agreement related to intellectual property, confidentiality, copyright, patents, or ownership of work? If so, how might those agreements affect my rights to use or share my work? 

  • Are there any confidentiality or non-disclosure requirements that could affect my ability to complete course requirements, share work with my instructor, present my work, publish academic work, or include the project in a portfolio? 

  • If the project is successful, how does your organization envision using the work after the project is completed? 

Clarifying ownership of intellectual property

  • If multiple people contribute to the work, including members of your organization, how are ownership and contributions recognized?

  • If the project leads to a new idea, invention, process, or product, how would future ownership or future use of that IP be handled?

Sharing information for coursework

  • What information, documents, data, findings, or project outputs can I share with my instructor and classmates, and are there any restrictions on what I can include in assignments, presentations, reports, reflections, publications, or a thesis?

  • If I need to submit project-related work for academic evaluation, are there any additional restrictions I should know about?

  • How can I discuss examples, results, or lessons learned while protecting your organization's confidential or proprietary information?

Future use of the work

  • Are there any restrictions on sharing, adapting, or building on the work after the project ends? 

  • If the project contributes to future research, presentations, publications, or a thesis, what permissions would I need?

  • Can I describe this project or include examples of my work in a portfolio, résumé, or job interview discussion?

Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Indigenous Knowledge considerations

When a project involves Indigenous communities, Indigenous Knowledges or Indigenous Data, conversations also need to include Indigenous Data Sovereignty, responsible care of knowledge and data and respectful relationships with Indigenous partners.

The University of Waterloo recognizes the importance of upholding Indigenous Data Sovereignty and sovereignty over knowledge production in teaching, research and other university activities as part of its commitments to Reconciliation, Indigenization, and Decolonization. This includes addressing Indigenous intellectual property considerations in WIL, guidance on appropriate and respectful approaches to include Indigenous Knowledges and Data and wise practices and processes for working with Indigenous authors and collaborators (including Indigenous faculty, staff, and students) in the creation and dissemination of knowledge.

If your project involves Indigenous knowledge or data, consider your role as a steward, not an owner. Think carefully about how the knowledge or data are collected, used, controlled, stored and shared. You can find more information and helpful links in the Library’s Research Guide on Indigenous Data Sovereignty.