Legal Question in Intellectual Property in Pennsylvania

Submitted and idea to an invention company in 2006 and about a year or so ago I saw everything that I had discussed with these people on television. I have paper work from them and a certificate number and a contact person whom I had several conversations with. Now because I choose not to do business with these group how is it my exact idea ends up under a different name on tv being sold.


Asked on 12/14/09, 9:52 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Sarah Grosse Sarah Grosse, Esquire

I'm not sure what your deal was with the "invention company." Did you have a confidentiality agreement? What kind of "certificate" could they issue that would have any legal validity?

A patent can only be filed in the name of the true inventors. However, if they did not apply for a patent, that doesn't apply. Also, because this was in 2006, it is likely too late for you to apply for a patent yourself. In any event, an "idea" is not patentable.

So, basically, because we are not talking about patents, we are talking about confidential/proprietary information, which can only be protected by a contract. Without knowing the contract, I cannot advise further.

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Answered on 12/21/09, 6:29 am


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