In addition, publications involving new technologies or software may limit discussion to statements of new discoveries and interpretations of scientific facts and need not reveal specific information about processes or methods that are proprietary in nature. Papers describing discoveries often are withheld pending additional confirmations believed to be essential. Faculty also have refrained from releasing information where general knowledge might lead to nonproductive speculation and exploitation. Faculty inventors and creators should contact the Intellectual Property Office with questions involving patents and copyrights. A University policy statement adopted by the Board of Trustees in July 1990 further helps to explain conflict of interest.
Universities conduct research for the purpose of generating new knowledge.
As a rule, there should be a clean demarcation of both effort and incentive between faculty duties and those activities associated with involvement in personal enterprises. Faculty should familiarize themselves with University and government policies governing conflict of interest. Full disclosure of any potential conflict of interest is a faculty member's best protection. University policy governing the disclosure of significant financial interests that might present a potential conflict of interest with research projects is spelled out in RA-05 . The University has historically sought the full and rapid dissemination of the creative and scholarly works of its faculty to the benefit of the citizens of the Commonwealth and nation.