Dissertation Ownership in Doctoral Education: A Legal and Ethical Analysis of Intellectual Property Rights Between Doctoral Candidates and Universities; A Case Study in Poland

Abstract The question of who owns a doctoral dissertation—the university or the doctoral candidate—remains a complex issue situated at the intersection of intellectual property law, academic governance, and research ethics. This paper examines the legal frameworks, university policies, scholarship agreements, and relevant case law that shape ownership claims over doctoral dissertations. Focusing on European and North American contexts, particularly Poland and the United States, it explores the distinction between moral and economic rights, and analyzes how scholarship contracts, internal regulations, and disciplinary proceedings impact the student’s ability to control their work. The study argues for greater transparency, legal clarity, and institutional accountability in defining the ownership and usage rights of doctoral dissertations. Keywords: Intellectual property rights, University regulations, Conflict of Interest, Student rights