Dear Colleagues,

In 2000, the Tennessee Open Records Law was amended to protect research that had records or materials containing proprietary information. This law went into effect July 1, 2000. Confidential information derived from research includes:

1. patentable material or potentially patentable material
2. proprietary information
3. trade secrets or potential trade secrets, including without limitation manufacturing and production methods, processes, materials, and associated costs
4. business transaction, commercial, or financial information about or belonging to research subjects or sponsors
5. summaries or descriptions of sponsored research or service, unless released by the sponsor
6. personally identifiable information
7. any other information that reasonably could affect the conduct or outcome of the sponsored research or service, the ability to patent or copyright the sponsored research, or any other proprietary rights any person or entity might have in the research or the results of the research, including without limitation, protocols, notes, data, results, or other unpublished writing about he research or service

The University is required to submit an annual report on each research project that falls within these definitions. If you have research information that must remain confidential, please visit this website (www.mtsu.edu/~research/faculty-researchactivities.html) and download the form. Completed form must be mailed to the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (Attn: Dr. Qureshi), 104 Midget Building, Box 124, Murfreesboro, TN 37132 or faxed to (615) 898-5028 no later than Friday, September 23, 2004.

If you have any questions or need further clarification, please contact the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (898-5005).

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Abdul S. Rao, M.D., M.A., D.Phil.
Professor of Biology
Vice Provost for Research and Sponsored Programs
Dean, College of Graduate Studies