AIIP members are required to adhere to a Code of Ethical Business Practice in which they bear the following responsibilities relating to intellectual property rights:

• Recognize intellectual property rights. Respect licensing agreements and other contracts. Explain to clients what their obligations might be with regard to intellectual property rights and licensing agreements.

• Assume responsibility for employees' compliance with this code.

AIIP members charge their clients for professional services and for reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses, which may include costs involved in retrieving and delivering copyrighted materials.

AIIP members are committed to the practice and principle of one time use of copyrighted material, sometimes called "one search, one use."

In situations in which AIIP members are aware that they are providing copyrighted materials to clients, AIIP members recognize their responsibility to inform clients about potentially applicable provisions of international copyright laws regarding the reproduction and photocopying of protected materials.

In order to ensure that publishers' rights are protected, AIIP strongly advises members to include a statement about copyright in client contracts and agreements.

AIIP strongly suggests that informational and advisory copyright statements provided to clients include the following essential elements:

• A statement informing clients that the materials they are receiving may be copyrighted, if in fact they are.

• A statement informing clients that questions regarding copyright should be addressed to their legal advisers or to the publishers holding the copyright.

Approved by the AIIP Board of Directors on October 23, 1994; updated by the Board April 06, 2000 and April 21, 2002 to reflect subsequent modifications of the Code of Ethical Business Practice.

The Past President is responsible for the content of this page