Employee Patent Compensations?

Posted by Cliff on Monday October 27, 2003 @01:25PM from the if-you-invent-do-it-on-your-own-time dept.

Anonymous Coward asks: "My employer has recently filed a patent application for something I invented. As compensation I am being given the statutory $1 for the assignment and a shiny brass plaque if the patent(s) is awarded. Is this typical for North American companies? I did sign a no compensation and automatic assignment type employment contract and while I was willing to accept that technically, I'm owed nothing, this strikes me as cheap, greedy, and backward thinking on my employers part. I've Google'd and read and this action seems archaic, am I wrong and just full of myself? Your thoughts please!"

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not exactly standard... by jrstewart · 2003-10-27 13:33 · Score: 5, Informative

I think the usual practice in america is more like a couple thousand dollars and a shiny brass plaque.

I wouldn't lose sleep over the bonus. Instead, remember to mention your patent at your next performance review. Even if you don't get a bonus from it directly it may be a useful bargaining chip for future compensation.