OK, let me elaborate and clarify.

     I'm stating this from the US perspective, for whatever that is worth.

     If the originator of the Idea could have done all the work himself,
     but had a technician actually be the one to get his hands dirty, the
     patent belongs to the originator, and MAY include the technician as
     co-inventor.

     If the originator had the Idea, but was not competent to make it a
     working Invention without the aid of the technician or engineer or
     whoever did the work, then the patent should be shared between the
     two.

     disclaimer: this is my opinion only, and given without consulting our
     patent attourney :)


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: Who gets the patent?
Author:  robert@RDD.NECA.NEC.COM.AU at internet
Date:    1/8/97 6:19 PM


        "Should"?

        This is far too strong a word.
        <snip>