Company Patent Incentive Policies

[Naturally65]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? North CarolinaWhat is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

[Naturally65]

Last September I was fired from an Engineering position from the company I was employed at for 5 years. In February of that year the Vice Pressident of North American Operations started a new "Patent Incentive Program" to stimulate new ideas in the company. The total incentive amounts to $7,000 per Patent. + a potential of $50,000 for any patent that "increases the company worth significantly after 3 years".
From February to September I came up with 23 Patentable ideas, many of which were succesfully prototyped. I have been contacted by my former employer to sign documents for the submittal applications for these patents.
One of these patents will increase the efficency of their appliance by over 30%. This patent alone will be worth over $130,000,000 to this company just by the government rebates alone!
So far I have received none of the incentive money from this company.
What do I need to do to receive compensation for these patents?

[Stevef]

Originally Posted by Naturally65

the Vice Pressident of North American Operations started a new "Patent Incentive Program"
What do I need to do to receive compensation for these patents?

Whatever is called for in the Patent Incentive Program.

[Naturally65]

Originally Posted by Stevef

Whatever is called for in the Patent Incentive Program.

I have already adheard to all requirements of this companies program before I was fired from the company.

They were suppose to pay incremental amounts at each phase of the patent process. They told me they would pay me one lump sum, (going against the policy), when the patent application was submitted. Then after being fired they have continued not to pay me anything even when the patent was submitted.

Also of note is that I was fired because I "Lacked Focus" and was "Too Innovative"!

[divgradcurl]

Contact a labor and employment attorney in your area to review any contracts or agreements you might have and all of the facts of the case.