Development of Inventions and Creative Ideas. Chapter 5

Abstract

Strongly threaded through the fabric of the invention-innovation cycle is the interplay between inventor and employer and between inventor and potential user or licensee. These relationships, including typical industrial, university, and governmental contract provisions, are herein set forth. Because the appropriation of inventions is a difficult matter to prove – though it happens every day – reference is made to one of the very rare proven instances, one that took several decades to resolve – the pioneer piezoelectric circuit inventions. This may aid in forewarning the inventor of the pitfalls in his path and in encouraging business and government to recognize rather than to circumvent or try to destroy the proprietary position of independent inventors.