MEV 019: Unit 15 - Ethics and Intellectual Property Rights

-

 UNIT 15: ETHICS AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

15.1 Introduction

Ethics in research refers to the moral principles and professional standards that guide researchers in planning, conducting, and publishing their work.
In the modern academic and industrial landscape, the integration of intellectual property rights (IPR) has become critical, as research outputs are often of commercial, cultural, or social value.
This unit discusses the ethical framework for research and publication, confidentiality, authorship, plagiarism, and legal aspects such as copyright, royalties, and TRIPS.

15.2 Objectives

After studying this unit, you will be able to:

  • Understand the importance of ethics in research.
  • Identify and address ethical issues related to confidentiality, publication, and accountability.
  • Explain copyright, royalty, and reproduction rights.
  • Recognise the framework of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and TRIPS.
  • Understand the role of UGC-CARE in academic quality assurance.

15.3 Requisite for Ethics in Research

Ethical conduct in research ensures:

  • Integrity – Accuracy and honesty in data collection and reporting.
  • Respect for participants – Protecting their rights, safety, and well-being.
  • Social responsibility – Ensuring research benefits society and does not cause harm.
  • Compliance – Adhering to institutional, national, and international guidelines.

15.4 Ethical Issues Related to Confidentiality

15.4.1 Confidentiality

The obligation to protect information provided by participants from unauthorised access or disclosure.

15.4.2 Anonymity

Ensuring that participants’ identities are not revealed in any form during data presentation or publication.

15.4.3 Challenges in Confidentiality

  • Risks of data breaches in digital storage.
  • Unintentional disclosure through data patterns.
  • Legal obligations to disclose in specific cases.

15.5 Ethical Issues Related to Publication, Reproducibility and Accountability

15.5.1 Publication

  • Avoiding duplicate or redundant publication.
  • Publishing only genuine, original research findings.

15.5.2 Authorship

  • Authorship should reflect substantial intellectual contribution to the research.
  • Avoiding “gift authorship” (credit without contribution) and “ghost authorship” (contribution without credit).

15.5.3 Peer Review

  • Maintaining confidentiality of manuscripts under review.
  • Providing unbiased, constructive feedback.

15.5.4 Plagiarism and Self-Plagiarism

  • Plagiarism: Presenting others’ work without credit.
  • Self-plagiarism: Republishing one’s own previously published work without disclosure.

15.5.5 Citation and Acknowledgement

  • Accurate referencing of all sources.
  • Acknowledging funding bodies, collaborators, and contributors.

15.5.6 Reproducibility and Accountability

  • Providing sufficient methodological details for others to replicate results.
  • Taking responsibility for the accuracy and integrity of published work.

15.6 Copyright and Related Rights

Copyright protects the expression of ideas, not the ideas themselves.

  • Duration: Typically author’s lifetime + 60 years (in India).
  • Related rights protect performers, producers, and broadcasters.

15.7 Royalty

Payment made to authors, creators, or inventors for the use of their work or patented invention.

15.8 Reproduction of Published Material

  • Requires permission from copyright holders.
  • Fair use exceptions may apply for educational and research purposes under certain conditions.

15.9 Ethics and Intellectual Property Rights

  • Balancing openness in sharing research with protection of commercial and creative interests.
  • Ensuring ethical compliance when commercialising research.

15.10 UGC–Consortium for Academic Research and Ethics (UGC-CARE)

  • Established to promote academic integrity and publication ethics.
  • Maintains a UGC-CARE List of reputable journals.
  • Encourages adherence to ethical guidelines in research publication.

15.11 Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)

IPR grants creators exclusive rights to their intellectual creations.
Major types:

  • Patents – For inventions.
  • Copyright – For literary and artistic works.
  • Trademarks – For brand identity.
  • Industrial Designs – For aesthetic designs.
  • Geographical Indications – For products linked to specific locations.

15.12 TRIPS – Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights

  • An international legal agreement administered by the World Trade Organization (WTO).
  • Sets minimum standards for IP regulation across member countries.
  • Covers patents, copyright, trademarks, trade secrets, and enforcement procedures.

15.13 Let Us Sum Up

  • Ethics ensures credibility, trust, and societal benefit in research.
  • Confidentiality, plagiarism avoidance, and accurate authorship attribution are essential.
  • Copyright and IPR protect creators’ rights while TRIPS sets global IP standards.
  • UGC-CARE supports quality publication practices.

15.14 Key Words

  • Confidentiality – Protection of private information.
  • Plagiarism – Using another’s work without proper credit.
  • IPR – Legal rights for creations of the mind.
  • Royalty – Payment for the use of intellectual property.
  • TRIPS – WTO agreement on intellectual property regulation.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Jcert Class 8 Daffodil Chapter 1a: The Naive Friends Solutions

-
Chapter 1a : The Naive Friends Answer the following questions: 1. Which questions made Keshav and Shyama curious about the egg? Ans.         How did the chick come out? How big would the eggs? How many? What colours would they? What did they eat? Such types of questions made Keshav and Shyama curious about the egg. 2. What three things did the children do to protect the eggs? Ans.         The children done three things are: (i)          Adjustment of food. (ii)        Adjustment of water. (iii)      Adjustment of roof. 3. Why did Keshav think of making a cushion for the eggs? Ans.         When Keshav saw the egg on direct sun light, he thaught making a cushion for the eggs. 4. What excuse did Keshav give for not showing the eggs to Shyama? Ans.     ...
Read more

Jcert Class 8 भाषा मंजरी Chapter 3 मित्रता Solutions

-
अध्याय - 3 : मित्रता 1. आप किस प्रकार कह सकते हैं कि मित्रों के चुनाव की उपयुक्तता पर हमारे जीवन की सफलता निर्भर करती है? उ. मित्रों के चुनाव की उपयुक्तता पर हमारे जीवन की सफलता निर्भर करती है क्योंकि संगति का गुप्त प्रभाव हमारे आचरण पर पड़ता है और यदि हमें अच्छी संगति, अच्छे मित्र मिलते हैं तो वे हमें सफलता की ओर ले जाते हैं जबकि बुरी संगति हमारे जीवन को खाक में मिला देती है।  2. 'विश्वासपात्र मित्र जीवन की एक औषध है।' आशय स्पष्ट कीजिए। उ. 'विश्वासपात्र मित्र जीवन की एक औषध है'- ऐसा इसलिए कहा गया है कि यदि हमें विश्वासी मित्र मिल गया तो हम अपने जीवन में चाहे जैसा भी कदम उठाएँ, उस कदम की आलोचना करके वह हमें सही दिशा की ओर उन्मुख करेगा। हम अपनी गलती रूपी बीमारी को उसकी आलोचना रूपी औषधि से दूर कर सकेंगे।  3. मित्र का चुनाव करते समय हमें किन बातों का ध्यान रखना चाहिए? उ. मित्र का चुनाव करते समय हमें निम्नलिखित बातों का ध्यान रखना चाहिए हमारे अच्छे विचारों (संकल्पों) को दृढ़ करने वाला हो। हमें दोषों और त्रुटियों से बचाए। हमारे सत्य, पवित्रता ...
Read more

Jcert Class 8 भाषा मंजरी Chapter 8 अमरूद का पेड Solutions

-
अध्याय - 8 : अमरूद का पेड 1. लेखक को क्यों लगता है कि इन सब पिछड़े खयालातों का हमारे घर में गुजर नहीं हो सकेगा। उ. अमरूद के पेड़ को देखकर सबसे पहले बाबू कन्हैयालाल की बूढ़ी पत्नी ने एक दिन टोका कि पश्चिम की तरफ अगर मकान का मुखड़ा हो और सामने ही अमरूद का पेड़ तो 'राम-राम बड़ा अशुभ होता है और माँ के चेहरे पर थोड़ा-सा भय दिखा पर लेखक को विश्वास था कि इन सब पिछड़े खयालातों का हमारे घर में गुजर नहीं हो सकेगा क्योंकि उसके घर के लोग आधुनिक विचारधारा के थे उसकी माँ सत्याग्रह के दिनों में अजमेर में लम्बा जेल कर चुकी है। पिताजी खुद राजनैतिक सामाजिक उदारता वाले आदमी थे। बुआ ने विवाह नहीं किया था, पढ़ने-लिखने में ही अपनी सम्पूर्ण जिन्दगी लगा दी और समाज कोई चुनौती देने का साहस नहीं कर सका। साथ ही परिवार के सभी लोगों में पिछड़ेपन के प्रति भर्त्सना का भाव था। 2. अमरूद के पेड़ की छाया किस प्रकार लेखक को उनके भाई-बहनों के साथ जोड़ती है ? उ. अमरूद के पेड़ की छाया लेखक को उसके भाई-बहनों के साथ जोड़ती है। वे सभी अमरूद की छाया में बेंत की कुर्सियों पर बैठ चर्चाएँ करते थे जिससे उनके बीच...
Read more