Who is an inventor – Is every researcher an inventor?
Regardless of the academic tradition of giving credit to all research contributors in scholarly publications, determining who is an inventor on a patent is not a choice made among scientists participating on a research. It is a legal decision that varies country by country. The improper identification of inventors or incorrect inventorship may, however, invalidate a patent. In most countries, both natural persons and corporate entities may apply for a patent, independently from the condition of inventor. The entity then becomes the owner of the patent rights, when and if it is granted. However, it is nearly always required that the inventor be named and an indication be given on the public record as to how the owner acquired their rights to the invention. In some countries like the United States and Canada, however, a corporate entity might be the owner of a patent but cannot be deem as an inventor, this is only a privilege for the natural person. Not even the employer or the person wh
