About Us
Who is an inventor?
Inventorship is a matter of U.S. law. Inventors are those who make a creative contribution to the invention, either in the original conception or in bringing the original conception to fruition. Those who simply perform experiments without contributing any creative element are not inventors from a legal standpoint. In cases where inventorship is disputed, a legal determination of inventorship will be performed by a patent attorney prior to filing of a patent application.
How do I determine if any of my colleagues or collaborators may be co-inventors?
Anyone who takes part in conceiving, building, testing or otherwise reducing the invention to practice may be a co-inventor. Ultimately, a patent attorney will decide whom to name as inventors. Omitting a legally valid co-inventor, or adding a person who is NOT a legally valid co-inventor, may lead to the loss of patent protection.
How can I prove that I am an inventor?
- Keep detailed and accurate laboratory notebooks to document important dates of the conception and development of the patentable idea.
- Include descriptions, drawings, photographs and any other documentation that may be applicable.
- Sign and date each entry and, have at least one (1), or preferably, two (2) witnesses sign and date the entries.
What is the role of the commercially successful inventor?
- Active, on-going participation in the patenting and commercialization processes.
- Focus on end products or services.