1.5 Publicity and copyrights of the thesis

A thesis written in Jamk is always public and must be open for evaluation. A thesis cannot be completely confidential. Publicity guarantees the objective and equal assessment of theses.

Confidentiality and confidentiality agreement

All of the thesis cannot be confidential. However, a thesis may contain some confidential information (e.g., the commissioner’s trade secrets). Typically, the results (or part of the results) are confidential, and in some cases, even the conclusions. The confidential sections are placed in the appendices of the thesis.

There must be a legal basis for the confidentiality of the appendices. If the legal basis is unclear, Jamk’s representatives will discuss the matter with the commissioner. In the discussions, the principles governing the publicity of the thesis and the legal principles concerning its confidential part must be clearly substantiated.

For confidentiality the student, the commissioner, and a representative of Jamk sign a confidentiality agreement. It is an appendix to the thesis agreement Appendix 1 Confidentiality Agreement on Thesis Appendices. A representative of Jamk must have signing authority. Depending on the degree program this person may be, for example, the head of department education or the programme coordinator.

The confidentiality period

The confidentiality period of the appendices is normally 2 years, but never more than 25 years. Confidentiality may only be longer than this if special legislation so requires. The confidentiality period cannot be permanent or indefinite.

The confidentiality period is calculated starting from the date of the thesis is submitted for evaluation.

For example, if you submit your thesis for evaluation on 23 May 2025 and the appendices are defined as confidential for five (5) years, the confidentiality will expire on 24 May 2030.

Confidentiality markings on the report

An indication of the confidentiality of the appendices must be clearly marked on the description page under Miscellaneous.
It must also be marked in the appendix of the thesis that is to be kept confidential. If a confidential part or personal data is to be removed from a public thesis, the text must be removed entirely, not just covered! Covering or blacking-out of data in a PDF file is not sufficient for making the data secret. Neither may the file be locked with a password.

Description page, ‘Other information’ section

Example
Appendices 1, 4 and 7 are confidential and removed from the public thesis. The basis for secrecy is section 24(17) of the Act on the Openness of Government Activities (621/1999), a company’s business or trade secret. The period of secrecy is five (5) years, the secrecy will end on 18 May 2028.

Marking of data in an appendix

An appendix that is to be kept secret must be marked with the indication (secret) under the title of the appendix.

Example
Appendix 1. Description of a kick sledge rocket engine (secret)

Copyrights

Copyright for the thesis belongs to the student.

The commissioner will receive a right of use to the thesis once it is complete. When signing the thesis agreement, you also agree on the scope of this right. If other works or intellectual property rights are created or established in connection with the thesis, the student and the commissioner must separately agree upon the transfer and use of such rights.

Publishing and achieving

The student publishes the thesis in the open internet (Theseus). A restricted Theseus collection (for Jamk users only) is an alternative to the open collection.

Read more about publishing and archiving in section 11 Publishing in Theseus.

Forms

Thesis Agreement (DOCX)

Appendix_1_Confidentiality Agreement on Thesis Appendices (DOCX)

Updated 22.5.2025