PATENTS XI. Who is the Inventor?
Accurately determining the inventor is important in the patent process. The fact that an engineer constructs an invention for an inventor does not necessarily make the engineer an inventor.
For example, if the inventor asks an engineer to build a bicycle with a frame, two wheels, a seat, and handle bars, and the engineer builds such a bicycle, that does not make the engineer an inventor of the bicycle. On the other hand, if the engineer, while constructing the bicycle, invents brakes for the bicycle, then the engineer is the inventor of the brakes even though the engineer is not the inventor of the original bicycle.
The determination of who invented a particular device or process ordinarily is best made by a patent attorney or patent agent.
For example, if the inventor asks an engineer to build a bicycle with a frame, two wheels, a seat, and handle bars, and the engineer builds such a bicycle, that does not make the engineer an inventor of the bicycle. On the other hand, if the engineer, while constructing the bicycle, invents brakes for the bicycle, then the engineer is the inventor of the brakes even though the engineer is not the inventor of the original bicycle.
The determination of who invented a particular device or process ordinarily is best made by a patent attorney or patent agent.
PHOTOGRAPH AND ILLUSTRATION ATTRIBUTIONS: (1) "Clock". Thank you publicdomainpictures.net. (2) "Lightbulb". Thank you freepik.com.