PRESENT AVAILABLE MEANS OF PROTECTING AN INVENTION
To protect an invention is indeed a very serious problem, under any
and all circumstances, yet there are certain conditions that will
protect it in a measure.
The first and most potent is to have a good deal of money to fight
infringements with, for money not only has the famed virtue of
"covering a multitude of sins," but of keeping others from sinning
against you.
[Illustration: BUT IS IT DIFFERENT OH! NOW! IF THE STOLEN PROPERTY
IS A MENTAL INSTEAD OF A HAND PRODUCT?
THE COMMUNITY WOULD BE WROUGHT UP IN RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION.]
Second: Good and careful invention and designing by making the
mechanical contrivance as nearly basic as the circumstances will
permit, and to design and invent contrivances for the same purpose
in as many other ways from the one to be used as possible, and by
patenting the same, making it harder for anybody else to get around
it.
Third: To so develop your means of producing your invention, that
they will enable you to hold your own in competition in the market
should it come.
Fourth: To have a good patent lawyer draw your patent claims.
Fifth: If possible have that lawyer interested in your invention.
Sixth: Never give it out to be worked on a royalty, unless it is to
some party with whose ability and integrity you are satisfied, and
even then have a clearly defined contract in writing as to quantities
and conditions.
Seventh: If the invention is assigned to a corporation, do not leave
yourself with a minority of stock if you can at all help it, but
if you cannot possibly avoid parting with a majority of the stock,
identify and amalgamate your interests with some other stockholder
in your company, that in combination with him will give you a
majority and control; and arrange if possible for your services to be
indispensable and profitable to the company.
Last, never sign an agreement with anybody assigning to them all of
your future improvements and inventions you may make for the same
purpose. You will be reasonably protected if you can keep that "up
your sleeve." For the world is usually more mindful of the man with
the "Big Stick" than with the "Big Grievance."
[Illustration: THE WORLD IS USUALLY MORE MINDFUL OF THE MAN WITH
THE "BIG STICK," THAN WITH THE "BIG GRIEVANCE."]