Q: I am listed as an inventor on my former employers patents. can i sell those rights to others.
My position was eliminated by new management. In 2018 the former GM asked for my assignment signature. I told him I was not comfortable doing that working for him for 36 years and He soon to retire (since deceased) that as long as I was employed I would not take issue with not assigning my rights. My primary duties were sales and manufacturing. Several competitor were interested in this product. It was introduced in 2014 Patent granted in 2019 pat #10,178,825 sales were one to two Million dollars a year up until my departure in October of 2018. The margin was approximately 55 to 60 %. I realize my old company owns the patent. However, is there a way I and a good attorney could negotiate an agreement with another company to allow them to manufacture and sell a similar product that would not violate their patent?
A:
Check your contracts including anything you signed upon your departure.
Most of the time you grant any creation to your company.
You are the inventor. Depends on how the invention was registered you may have some rights or none.
Best luck.
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