Copyright

A copyright protects original creative works such as books, movies, songs, paintings, photographs, web content, software, and choreography. UAB has a copyright policy which provides guidelines regarding ownership of copyrightable works. Ownership of the various rights associated with copyright is dependent upon several factors outlined in the policy and applicable law. Review the copyright policy to learn more.

In general, for copyrightable work produced by university faculty, staff, or students, it is appropriate to include a copyright statement to provide evidence of the identity of the copyright owner. The copyright owner is not required to officially file the copyrightable work with the U.S. Copyright Office in order to use a copyright statement. Below are long and short versions of standard copyright statements you may include when it is determined that UAB is the copyright owner:

Long Version

"COPYRIGHT © [insert year of publishing], The Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama for The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama"

Short Version (for Small Spaces)

© [insert year of publishing] The University of Alabama at Birmingham

Trademark

A trademark protects names, terms, and symbols that are used to identify the source of goods and / or services on the market.

Most of UAB's trademarks are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and protected by federal law. The university is responsible for ensuring that only authorized individuals and entities use UAB trademarks. By displaying the appropriate ® or ™ symbols, you help protect our brand from unauthorized use. Use of trademark symbols notifies the public that the logo or verbiage is protected by law. If the trademark is registered, it is easier to pursue a trademark infringement action from unauthorized use within the class of goods/services for which the trademark has been registered.

When to Use Trademark Symbols

Official UAB trademarks are available for download with and without trademark symbols. Please use the trademark symbol when printing trademarks on promotional items, apparel, merchandise, video, and advertising. With regard to print materials, like stationery, flyers, and official written documents, like press releases, the symbols may be used in the first or most prominent instance.

Trademark Form Request

This questionnaire helps determine if a trademark associated with UAB should be registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Please complete this form, attaching appropriate collateral materials / examples. All trademarks associated with UAB must be reviewed and approved by Marketing & Communications. If you wish to apply for federal registration to protect the trademark, Marketing & Communications will work with legal counsel to determine if this is possible. Note: if this is either not an institutional trademark or a trademark that has the potential for commercialization, you may be contacted by the Bill L. Harbert Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Intellectual Property

Intellectual property (IP) is any product of the human intellect that the law protects from unauthorized use from others. IP is traditionally divided into four categories: patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets. 

UAB faculty members, university employees, and students, as a condition of their employment and / or enrollment, are subject to UAB policies regarding the creation and ownership of IP. Generally, these policies obligate faculty members, university employees, and students to report any invention or discovery which they have authored, conceived or developed during their employment or enrollment at UAB. Disclosures must be made to the UAB Research Foundation (otherwise known as the Bill L. Harbert Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship). Learn more.