Intellectual property development reciprocation on distance learning education: a review of the law & policies, challenges and recommendations

Distance learning education via computer enabled technologies had created nontraditional off-site learners where better student engagement shifted towards organized content leadership to facilitate courseware delivery. The new teaching model caused concerns with regards to course material ownership and intellectual property rights (IPR), which prompted new legislations and policies to be put in place. University policies, while acknowledging ownership should be maintained by faculty, have a higher number of exemptions tailored for collection of a certain percentage of royalties. This reinforced faculty concerns of infringement of academic freedom of expression. Studies demonstrated raising awareness of IPR among faculty and students should be exercised.