“Employing a friend, mechanic, model maker or other person to do work for one on an idea does not, as a rule, make him a joint inventor with the originator. One has a right to employ someone else to do one’s work. There are conditions, however, where such person would become a joint inventor, or even sole inventor. It is best to play safe and consult an experienced patent lawyer, laying before him all of the facts.” Richard B. Owen, Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Departmental Practice 7 (1925).
joint inventor
joint inventor. Patents. A person who collaborates with another or others in developing an invention. • All joint inventors must be identified on a patent application. [Cases: Patents 92. C.J.S. Patents §§ 126, 134.]