University of Iowa Center for Intellectual Freedom Pauses Book Project Amid Copyright Ownership Debate

The University of Iowa Center for Intellectual Freedom (CIF) has suspended its anticipated book project following ongoing questions about copyright ownership and proceeds distribution. The project was initially announced by Luciano De Castro, the center’s interim director and a UI professor, during the center’s inaugural event in December 2025.

De Castro explained during a recent meeting of the CIF’s 26-member advisory council that he had been unable to organize the book due to concerns over copyright protections. “I do not have the protection that the copyright of the book would belong to the authors, and actually to the editor,” he said, noting that as editor, he would need assurance that the copyright would not default to the university.

At the same meeting, Christine Hensley, a regent and chair of the advisory council, reassured De Castro that legal counsel had confirmed he could proceed with the book without the university claiming copyright. However, De Castro indicated that the executive director for the Board of Regents would need to sign off on a formal policy to provide this protection.

The dispute arose after the UI legal department referenced the university’s copyright policy, which states that copyrights created in the course of administrative duties belong to the university. De Castro expressed concern that his role as CIF director might classify the book as university work, thereby transferring copyright ownership to the institution.

Following a review by the Board of Regents’ legal counsel, De Castro was informed that he was not required to follow the university’s policy in this case. To formalize this understanding, he drafted “Policy 03” for the council’s consideration. This policy explicitly states that copyright in all content produced with center support remains with the creators unless otherwise agreed in writing.

The policy further grants the center’s director final authority over which projects receive support and allows the center to negotiate a non-exclusive, perpetual, royalty-free license to use and distribute content developed with its backing.

De Castro’s vision for the book was to compile articles or chapters from scholars who participated in the CIF’s inaugural event, which featured panel discussions with conservative lawmakers, scholars, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, and right-wing activist Christopher Rufo. He had invited these scholars to contribute writings on themes addressed during the event to create a lasting volume of insights.

Despite repeated assurances from Hensley and legal counsel that the university would not claim ownership rights, De Castro indicated that he still felt the need for formal protection. Hensley urged the council to accept the legal counsel’s guidance and move forward without further delay.

As of now, the book project remains on hold pending finalization of the intellectual property policy and formal sign-off by the Board of Regents’ executive director. The CIF advisory council continues to deliberate on the matter to ensure clarity and protection for creators’ rights moving forward.