Q: Can I claim my fathers patent?
My father never received any compensation for his patent from the USPTO. He passed away at the age of 77 without ever receiving any money. I'm his heir.
A:
The USPTO does not compensate patent owners. The USPTO issues patents to inventors and maintains a permanent historical record of all U.S. patent applications. Generally, patent holders can make money from selling the their patented products, selling their interest in the patent, or licensing it to someone willing to pay for it.
Patents can be inherited, but whether you inherited your father's patent will depend on a number of things. You would have to consult with an attorney in your state, ideally an attorney familiar with patent law and estate planning.
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