>Throwing all these noble causes aside. How do you think a patent should be >rewarded? > >I have a few small ones and a big one (applied for but still a number of >weeks away from issuance) that will save millions per year to my company and >bring in an additional few million per year in royalty's for my employer, >yet it is customary at this company to pay $1000 split with all involved >with the invention. I can understand your frustration, and having lived on both sides of this issue, here's my viewpoint: As an _employee_ you are taking little risk. The gov't requires that a company pay its employees before its other creditors when folding. You are in a good position. The company has invested thousands, perhaps millions, to provide you a laboratory, secretary, etc. to give you the environment you need to innovate. A very important part of that is job security. The interest on $1M for a month is $4K (5% interest - very low). Oh yes - you are probably an at-will employee and can leave whenever you want. Big risk there, not to mention that you might meet a Mack truck in your lane on the way to work one morning.... $1000 split all around - probably a little cheap, but the concept makes life a lot simpler for everybody, including you. Some patents don't pay off (Patents don't come cheap AFTER the thing is invented either - you have filings, reviews, and of course the challenges), but some pay off big. Just the fact that you are getting anything just for a patent award is good. I look at it this way: If they pay my salary on time, and it's a decent wage, my job IS to innovate. That's what they pay me for. If I'm sweeping the floors and come up with a new electronic gadget, I'd expect a bonus. A regular salary sure beats the irregularity of self-employment. But I keep the self-employment active to a degree because it makes for opportunities to score big on occasion. BTW, if you don't want your share of that $1000, you can mail it to me. I accept personal checks . Andy ================================================================== Andy Kunz Life is what we do to prepare for Eternity ------------------------------------------------------------------ andy@rc-hydros.com http://www.rc-hydros.com - Race Boats andy@montanadesign.com http://www.montanadesign.com - Electronics ==================================================================