If two different persons claim the same invention, how does the government determine who was first to invent?
An invention is actually the combination of two steps. First, the idea itself must be conceived by all of the claiming inventors (each must contribution something, but not necessarily to the same degree and second, the idea must be realized by making of a working model (reduced to practice). Invention takes place on the date that the working model is functional. If there is a contest between two inventors as to the first to invent, each of them will be called upon to produce evidence as to the date of their reduction to practice or invention. The government will also consider evidence of which person conceived of the idea first and was diligent in eventually reducing the idea to practice. This person may be deemed the first inventor and receive the right to the patent. This is one of the reasons that professional engineers and inventors maintain a daily log book of their efforts.
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