This monograph examines in great detail two kinds of intellectual property: copyrights and patents. Though the authors recognize the significance of trademarks and trade secrets, they focus primarily on copyrights and patents in this monograph because they represent the most significant issues in higher education in the information age. Emphasizing these forms of intellectual property, this monograph frames the rights derived from legal parameters pertaining to intellectual property, technological advancements, and competing interests from various actors involved. Naturally, the authors use many legal concepts in this monograph, but they minimize legal jargon and attempt to make this information accessible to the lay, albeit educated, audience. The authors also recognize that the role of intellectual property policies and practices in higher education institutions includes finding ways to balance multiple goals: to create incentives for innovation, protect interests in inventions and discoveries, and legally comply with appropriate uses of protected works. Keeping these goals in mind, the authors present a framework to examine intellectual property policies and practices in higher education institutions. (Contains 2 figures, 1 exhibit and 14 notes.)