On Intellectual Property Rights

Homestead's Intellectual Property Assignment

In 2007, Homestead Heritage distributed an Intellectual Property Assignment to its members. This ensures "the transfer of an owner’s property rights in copyrights, trademarks, patents, trade secrets, or other intangible creations." (Source) These assets would now become the sole property of Homestead Heritage. This applies to all members of the community, and not just those employed in some way by the community. 

The institution of this policy coincided with the departure of one of their master woodworkers who then went on to start his own school of woodworking. This woodworker authored Homestead's woodworking curriculum. His books were subsequently pulled from the shelves at The Barn.