On 8th of May 2008, the University Board adopted Joint Intellectual Rights Policy for Norway's universities. The document stipulates that "results created at the universities or produced in whole or in part with the universities' resources are the property of the universities, insofar as this is not or will not conflict with the rights of others". It is further assumed that the university lays down "further rules for the transfer of rights to the results where required".
On 19th of November 2009, the University Board adopted the Regulations on the employer's right to work results. On 15th of February 2012, amendments were adopted to the Regulations, which are now called Regulations on securing and managing work results at the University of Tromsø.
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Which work results are covered by the regulations
Main rule
According to these regulations, the university as an employer has the right to take over or have the right to use all rights to all work results of any kind that the employee creates or develops in connection with his position at UiT if the university's legitimate requirements dictate this, and it does not hinder employees' academic freedom.
... Exceptions for some work results
Work results of a copyright nature belong to the author, cf. Act of 15th of June 2018 no. 40 on copyright in intellectual property § 1. UiT does not take over employees' rights to non-fiction publications and artistic works and teaching material with a personal touch.
... Work results and rights in externally funded projects
In connection with participation in externally financed activities, employees are obliged to sign an agreement or declaration on e.g. transfer of their potential rights to future research results to UiT.
... Who is covered by the regulations?
All employees: The regulations apply to all the university's scientific and other employees, regardless of affiliation, ie for permanent employees, temporary employees, temporary staff, full-time or part-time employees.
Students and contractors: The regulations do not apply in principle to students and contractors since they do not have an employment at the university. The transfer of rights for students and contractors should be regulated through individual agreements that should be negotiated in each individual case.
... Employment agreements
The provision on the transfer of rights to work results is laid down in employment agreements with employees at the university since 2010.
The rest of the regulations which contain i.a. provisions on the duty to notify, the right to publish and requirements for reasonable remuneration shall apply in general to all employees from the adoption date of the regulations.
Updated: 30.06.2022, updated by: Rune Karolius
