Skip to content

I2G Project - Student Agreement

UC MERCED INNOVATE TO GROW - STUDENT PARTICIPATION ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND IP+NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT 

In consideration of the opportunity to participate in the Innovate to Grow Program (hereafter referred to as "I2G") for credit at the University of California, Merced, (hereafter referred to as "UCM"), I hereby acknowledge and agree to the following:

  1. As part of I2G, UCM’s undergraduate engineering students have the opportunity to undertake an industrial project, referred to as “I2G Project,” and to learn as part of a team that includes practicing engineers and other professionals from partner organizations (“Partners”). The I2G teams focus on engineering design projects that are purposefully chosen for their potential for significant near-term impact on the communities, organizations, and/or industries in the region and beyond.

  2. Participation in the UCM I2G Program is voluntary and is subject to certain participation requirements as described below.  I have the opportunity to undertake a traditional project (hereafter referred to as “Academic Project”) that would satisfy the UCM requirements. The Academic Project would not involve the assignment of any intellectual property that I may develop as part of an I2G Project. Before I chose the I2G option, I may seek advice regarding the advantages and disadvantages of both types of projects, including advice regarding the assignment of any rights to intellectual property developed as part of the I2G Project.

  3. I understand that as a result of my work on an I2G Project, intellectual property in the form of inventions, data, formulae, computer software specifications, products, processes, technologies, patents, copyrights, and other technical and product information (“Intellectual Property”) may be developed during the project and that such Intellectual Property may have commercial value.

  4. I understand that UCM and the I2G Partners with which I may work on an I2G Project have entered into a relationship to work jointly on an I2G Project proposed by the Partners.  This relationship is reflected in a document that specifies that the Partners may require assignment of all intellectual property created as a result of the project as a condition of student participation on its project (“Partner Acknowledgement”).

  5. I acknowledge that as a condition of my voluntary participation on an I2G Project, prior to the commencement of such I2G Project, I assign to the Partner a non-exclusive, transferable, sub-licensable, royalty-free, worldwide license to use the Intellectual Property that I developed as part of the I2G Project.  I also acknowledge that the Partner may require me to assign all my rights and ownership interest in such Intellectual Property created as a result of and during my participation in the I2G Project. I agree to cooperate with the Partner, its assignee or designee in perfecting rights to such Intellectual Property, for example, by signing any documents that may be necessary to perfect the rights. I also acknowledge that I would not be entitled to receive any income from the sale or licensing of this Intellectual Property by the Partner, and that the Partner may or may not reward me in any way, according to the Partner's discretion. I further understand that I am likely to be required to obtain express authorization from the Partner to publish the results of my I2G Project, except in connection with any presentations or reports prepared for educational purposes as part of the I2G Program. If I choose not to assign any right or interest I have in any Intellectual Property, I understand that I will not be eligible to participate in an I2G Project and that I will be provided the opportunity to participate in an Academic Project that will provide an equivalent educational opportunity.

  6. I acknowledge and agree that as part of my participation in the I2G Program, I may receive information that is marked as or otherwise considered confidential or proprietary, or is otherwise subject to restrictions on disclosure, and I will not, without express written consent of the owner of such confidential or proprietary information, 1) disclose or publish any part of such information to others for a period of five (5) years from receiving the information; 2) make any use of such information for a five (5) year period except in the course of my participation in the UCM I2G Program. However, I further understand that I shall not be prevented from disclosing information when I can establish, by competent evidence, that such information:        

    • Was already known to me at the time of disclosure by Partner or a third party collaborator; or
    • Was available to the public or otherwise was part of the public domain at the time of disclosure by Partner or a third party collaborator; or
    • Became available to the public or otherwise became part of the public domain after the time of disclosure by Partner or a third party collaborator, but other than through my own acts or omissions in violation of this Agreement; or
    • Was lawfully disclosed to me by a party not collaborating with Partner subsequent to the time of disclosure by Partner or a third party collaborator.

  7. I acknowledge that as a condition of my voluntary participation on an I2G Project, prior to the commencement of such I2G Project, I may be required by the Partner, or a third part collaborating with the Partner, to enter into a binding non-disclosure agreement. If I choose not to enter into a non-disclosure agreement, I understand that I will not be eligible to participate in an I2G Project and that I will be provided the opportunity to participate in an Academic Project that will provide an equivalent education opportunity.

  8. As a condition of being permitted to participate in any way in the I2G Program, I, for myself, my heirs, personal representatives, or assigns, do hereby release, waive, discharge and covenant not to sue The Regents of the University of California, its officers, employees, and agents from liability from any and all claims, including claims of negligence on the part of The Regents of the University of California, its officers, employees, and agents, resulting in personal injury, accidents or illnesses (including death) and property loss arising from participation in the I2G Program. Participation in the I2G Program carries with it inherent risks that cannot be eliminated regardless of the care taken to avoid injury and I hereby assert that my participation in the I2G Program is voluntary and I knowingly assume all such risks. I know and understand and appreciate these and other risks, and in signing this waiver of liability and assumption of risk, I understand that I am giving up substantial rights, including my right to sue. 

  9. I agree to comply with all of the rules and conditions of participating in the I2G Program. I certify that I have adequate health insurance necessary to provide for and pay any medical costs that may directly or indirectly result from my participation in the project. I am aware that if I provide a vehicle not owned and operated by the University for transportation to, at, or from the project sites, or if I am a passenger in such a vehicle, the University is not responsible for any damage caused by or arising from my use of such transportation.

  10. Immediately upon completion of the I2G Project, I agree to provide UCM with all software, records, project notebooks, memoranda, information, data, programs, models and equipment of any nature in my possession or under my control pertaining to the I2G Project, for purposes of academic evaluation of my participation on the project. These materials will be returned to me following completion of the academic evaluation; however, UCM may retain copies of such materials for its records and other educational purposes. I also understand that these materials may be considered confidential by Partners and as such be subject to paragraph 6 above.