UHPA knows that as a faculty member you have made significant investments to develop and expand your knowledge in your specific field of study. The original materials you create for your classes and other purposes are the result of years of research. You have no doubt become a subject matter expert and your work deserves to be protected from misuse or copyright infringement.

You can be reassured that you are protected from having your works misused. After two years of tough negotiations with UH administration, UHPA has successfully included new contract language that respects the rights of faculty members. Article XI Intellectual Property, Patents and Copyrights, now in effect for faculty members, spells out the terms and conditions for any work for hire by the University of Hawaii.

Works for hire for copyrightable materials must meet specified conditions that are defined in the contract and can be enforced through the grievance procedure. The new language allows copyrightable products—as well as patents—to be subject to shared revenue agreements. This was designed so that faculty can receive an equitable economic return on any of their work that may be sold. The contract contains an updated definition of copyright, and UHPA now receives copies of all work-for-hire agreements.

UHPA and UH is in the process of developing templates for work-for-hire agreements to ensure there is compliance with the contract terms and conditions. Watch for more details.