How to Invent and Protect Your Invention: A Guide to Patents for Scientists and Engineers

APPENDIX 1

Important Forms

The following are sample forms and contracts you may encounter as an inventor. They include:

A. Invention Disclosure Form—used when a researcher wants to reveal a potentially patentable invention to his organization's legal department, technology transfer office, or research foundation

B. Material Transfer Agreement—used when unpatented products or know-how are disclosed to a company by an inventor for purposes of having these products or techniques tested or further research and development

C. Employment Agreement—a typical agreement an employee might be expected to sign when he is hired defining the employer and employee relationship

D. Patent Assignment Agreement—gives an employer or another party ownership over an inventor's patent

E. Non-Disclosure Agreement—requires a party to keep information confidential and allows an inventor to prevent a third party from discussing an unpatented invention the inventor shares with him and is often used to share trade secrets or ask a potential licensee about the value of pursuing a patent

F. Information Disclosure Statement—must be included in a patent application to disclose any relevant prior art references

G. Inventor's Oath—must be included in a patent application and states that the inventor believes he and his co-inventors are the first to invent

H. Patent License Agreement—a patent holder allows another person or company to make, use, sell, or import the invention in certain circumstances in exchange ...