Conflict of Interest -Reply MICHAEL 13 Dec 1994 03:39 EST

At the University of Central Florida in Orlando (home of Disney
World, the most feared tourist destination), all faculty sign an
employment contract which clearly defines their roles and
responsibilities.  I will fax you a copy of the section which
deals with inventions and works.  This section also addresses the
reporting responsibilities regarding outside employment.

"1)   While an employee may, in accordance with Article 19,
Conflict of Interest/Outside Activity, engage in outside
employment pursuant to a consulting agreement, requirements that
an employee waive the employee's or university's rights to any
inventions which arise during the course of such outside
employment must be approved by the President or representative.

2)    An employee who proposes to engage in such outside
employment shall furnish a copy of this Article and the
university's patents policy to the outside employer prior to or
at the time a consulting or other agreement is signed, or if
there is no written agreement, before the employee begins."

The difficulty is getting compliance from faculty.  They hide
behind a shield of academic freedom and get very beligerent about
their tenured status.  On the few occasions where they do
actually follow the contract that they sign, we have had no
problems.  As of this date, they send this paperwork through the
Academic Affairs Office (the Provost), however, I am pushing to
get them to submit it through our Technology Transfer Office
first.  No luck yet.

As I said, I will fax the section of our Collective Bargaining
Agreement (employee contract) that is applicable.  Hope it helps.

Michael E. Herforth
Technology Transfer Manager
University of Central Florida
(407) 823-3778
fax (407) 823-3299
e-mail: xxxxxx@dsrt.ucf.edu