Frequently Asked Questions about Patents

What if I am an employee and have an idea?

  • As an employee or a contractor, you will typically be required to sign an agreement obligating you to assign all of your rights to any inventions developed within the scope of your employment to your employer or contractor. This type of agreement is typically assumed if it is not written, in the eyes of the law.
  • It is also not unheard of for an employer to require that all employees agree to assign all inventions to the employer, regardless of whether the invention was developed on company time or within the scope of employment. If you are concerned about this, be careful about what you sign and who you work for.

« Back to list of Frequently Asked Questions about Patents