3.4.4.3-2 Can a university publish on its website photos of its decorated building taken by students on the Academic Day? According to the university regulations, students must grant the rights in IP acquired as part of their studies to the university.

No, the university does not have any copyrights and thus also has no right to publish the work (reproduce it and make it available). According to its regulations, it would only have the right to do this if the students’ photos were taken ‘as part of...

3.4.4.2-2 During their free time, a history teacher wrote an article on the history of the school building in which they work. The school would like to publish this article on its website. Can it do this without the teacher’s consent?

No, the school does not have any copyrights in the article. Even if the teacher had assigned their copyrights to the school under the employment contract or the school’s regulations, the assignment does not apply to works that they create during their free...

3.4.4.2-1 May a lecturer publish lecture notes that they wrote during their working hours on their personal blog? The lecturer is subject to a cantonal law stating that all rights to the works created while executing their duties belong to the canton.

No, the copyrights (in this case, the right of reproduction and publication) are not owned only by the lecturer, but in accordance with the above legal provision, also by the canton. The lecturer must first obtain the consent of the canton, represented by their line...

3.4.4.1-2 A law firm appoints a lawyer whose task is to regularly publish articles on current case law on its website. Does the firm own the (assignable) copyrights in these articles if the employment contract does not contain any specific provisions?

Yes and no. An agreement on the assignment of copyrights does not have to be explicit and be concluded in writing. The purpose for which the employee was appointed is important here – in this case, the lawyer was appointed to write Internet articles; the assignment of...

3.4.3-2 How are licences granted?

Licences are generally granted under a contractual agreement (licence agreement) between the licensor (author or an owner of rights) and the user (licensee). The contract determines the rights of use and their scope granted to the licensee by the licensor. Basically,...