In the UK, who owns the intellectual property of a thesis?
<p>Assume the following problem:</p>

<p>A person decides to create software for his thesis. His application turns out to be very profitable. </p>

<p>If he continues creating it, will the University own the intellectual property over the thesis or the application itself?</p>

<p>Will the revenue go to the university instead?</p>

<p>Is there any way the two parties can come up with a contract or agreement?
If the person leaves university and doesn't finish his thesis and instead releases his application, will there be any repercussions?</p>

<p>The Person and the University <strong><em>do</em></strong> need to come to an agreement. Universities usually have clear guidelines and arrangements for intellectual property, eg.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>In line with UK legislation, <strong>the University owns all intellectual
  property or other materials developed by its employees</strong>, unless
  explicitly stated otherwise. </p>
  
  <p><strong>Students</strong> are not employees of the University and therefore legally own any intellectual property arising from their research <strong>as long as
  all of the creative intellectual input has been that of the student</strong>.</p>
  
  <p>When a researcher is <strong>both a student and an employee</strong> ownership of
  intellectual property will normally be determined by whether the
  intellectual property was created during the researcher’s duties as a
  member of staff or a student.</p>
</blockquote>

<p><a href="https://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/researchsupport/integrity/code-of-conduct/4-during-research/4-1-intellectual-property" rel="noreferrer">University of Leicester</a> (my summary)</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>What should I do if I think I do have an idea or invention worth
  protecting? </p>
  
  <p>Have a look at the <a href="https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/ris/ipcommercialisation/inventors/" rel="noreferrer">Research Strategy and Innovation Office</a>
  website about where to start:</p>
</blockquote>

<p><a href="https://www.gla.ac.uk/research/ourresearchenvironment/prs/intellectualproperty/ipfaqs/" rel="noreferrer">University of Glasgow</a></p>

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