Employment contracts play an important role in the assignment of copyright developed in the course of employment. Its terms could determine issues relating to ownership and use of such copyright. The aim of this Newsletter is to address salient issues arising from the ownership of copyright developed in the course of employment.
We hope the Newsletter will provide a better understanding of the role of employment contracts in the ownership of copyright.
Who owns the intellectual property to a work created in the course of employment?
Copyright vests initially in the author unless the contract of employment stipulates otherwise.
What role does employment contract play in the assignment of intellectual property created in the course of employment?
The provisions of the law defer to contract. Therefore, a contract can alter and state the fact of ownership of the copyright in an eligible work.
