What NOT to do when an inventor will not sign a patent document

A major cause of angst in a start-up companies is an inventor who can not or does not want to sign assignment and declaration documents required by the United States Patent Office.  This is not a major issue when the inventor is obligated to sign as the result of an employment or license agreement.  In this case, you can discuss with your patent counsel the filing of a Petition under 37 CFR § 1.47(a).

CEOs and company managers may be especially interested in a cautionary tale from Wesley Overson of Morrison & Foerster LLP  regarding what NOT to do. (Synopsis by Robert Platt Bell)