If I write some code while a graduate student at a university, who owns that code? If they're scripts used for data analysis, but clearly aren't substantial enough to warrant publication or patents, can I safely open-source it and post it online? Will this somehow run me afoul of my school's IP office?
For the record, most of the scripts would be of the data-munging variety. There's no novelty or lost revenue if I just post a 4-line script to convert file format A to file format B.
So, is this one of those "better to ask forgiveness than permission" type deals, where I'm unlikely to have any problems? Or is it something I should seriously be concerned about?
As regards open source: certainly some journals demand that any scripts/software used in a publication be made publically available/open-sourced. As to who actually owns the code, I suspect the situation may be different from university to university, actually. (At least, looking at the contracts/regulatations I've seen in the past would suggest that).
Even if a journal does not require code be made open source, you as a peer reviewer can strongly recommend it if you are an open source advocate...