It’s often best to presume that research data is protected by copyright, however this is not always the case. Research data must be sufficiently original for copyright protection. Originality requires some independent intellectual effort by the creator or creators in the creation, selection, presentation, or arrangement of information. For example, machine-created data without human creative input may not attract copyright protection.
Copyright ownership
Under Griffith's IP policy, HDR candidates own the copyright in the data they create, except when the copyright is transferred to the University or another body by agreement.
Griffith employed researchers will often own the copyright in data they create. At other times—for example where there is a funding agreement or University labs are used—the University or another body will generally own the copyright. For advice on ownership, contact your academic element.
Where the University owns the copyright in data a Griffith researcher produces and that data is not subject to commercial, confidential, privacy or other such considerations, it permits the researcher to assign the copyright in that data to an academic publisher for the purpose of academic publication and to attach a Creative Commons licence to that data.
Where two or more researchers significantly contribute to data when working on a project, there is joint copyright ownership. With joint research projects, there should be an agreement on the copyright ownership and rights related to the data before the project begins to determine how the data can be managed in the future.
Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property
Data that incorporates Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property ( ICIP ) requires respectful and appropriate management. For more information contact the Library.
Using datasets others have created for your research project
Publishing your data
Need help?
Advice and support
The Copyright and Information Policy Officer provides copyright advice and training across Griffith University for staff and students. Contact the Copyright and Information Policy Officer by emailing copyright@griffith.edu.au or phoning (0)7 3735 5695.
- Reading List Service digitises and makes readings available online for students through Learning@Griffith in a copyright compliant way.
- The Library assists with supplying movies and TV material for teaching in a copyright compliant way.
- Griffith Enterprise advises on ownership and development of potentially commercial copyright, inventions and other IP created by staff and students.
