INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND ELEARNING AT SAUDI UNIVERSITIES: PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND ELEARNING AT SAUDI UNIVERSITIES: PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

Summary/Abstract: Although the internet has made a plethora of resources accessible to many, those resources are inadequately protected at Saudi universities. Some students and instructors use electronic material, software, Apps, Powerpoint presentations, articles, research papers, ebooks, video clips and/or images that they like or find useful in the online learning environment without documentation and without seeking the owner's permission. This study investigates the availability and awareness of intellectual property rights of electronic material and resources at Saudi universities and report students and instructors' views on the infringement of intellectual property, reasons for infringements, and misconceptions of proper use. Interviews with a sample of students and faculty have shown that many students are unaware of intellectual property rights and laws. There is a great need for protecting the copyright of electronic materials at Saudi universities. Saudi Universities need to have clearly stated Intellectual property laws that protect and encourage the creation and proper use of electronic materials and resources by students and faculty. Findings also revealed some misconceptions about plagiarism and improper use of electronic resources. Some believe that it is their right to use online resources. Others refuse to delete what they have illegally used as they feel that they have not breached any laws. Some faculties were exposed to the illegal use of their online material, but they do not know where they can complain to regain their copyright. Others indicated that when they complained, their institutions did not care about protecting their copyright and punishing those who breach copyrights; in addition to the negative effects of plagiarism on faculty morale and productivity. Results will be reported in detail.

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