Having worked in the university tech transfer system, I can say that, for a fact, it is extremely flawed and unable to appropriately address modern software, let alone student-generated apps. Its an archaic model that works best with heavily patentable biotech, semiconductors, and the like.
Tech Transfer offices nationwide have all been left scratching their heads about the issue raised by this article. However, most TT officials have little hands on development experience within the past 5 years or more; they're completely oblivious to modern trends in entrepreneurship. When in doubt, they often are too strict. Likely, Mizzou has adjusted their policy to retain some ownership rights of all of the "work students do as part of a class, to student work created as part of a competition, to work students do in an extracurricular group that is sponsored by the university."
The nationwide advisory branch (AUTM) may claim that they don't want to hold student work, but it's decided at a university level. When universities begin to see lost potential revenue, they'll want a piece of it.
My advice to students is to not use university resources for anything unless you have to. Use your own computers, get a "work" email off of the school's server, and perhaps do your work via a coffee shop's WiFi instead of the school's. It may seem extreme, but it's better safe than sorry.
Tech Transfer offices nationwide have all been left scratching their heads about the issue raised by this article. However, most TT officials have little hands on development experience within the past 5 years or more; they're completely oblivious to modern trends in entrepreneurship. When in doubt, they often are too strict. Likely, Mizzou has adjusted their policy to retain some ownership rights of all of the "work students do as part of a class, to student work created as part of a competition, to work students do in an extracurricular group that is sponsored by the university."
The nationwide advisory branch (AUTM) may claim that they don't want to hold student work, but it's decided at a university level. When universities begin to see lost potential revenue, they'll want a piece of it.
My advice to students is to not use university resources for anything unless you have to. Use your own computers, get a "work" email off of the school's server, and perhaps do your work via a coffee shop's WiFi instead of the school's. It may seem extreme, but it's better safe than sorry.