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Ask HN: How much (if at all) does your employer reward you for filing a patent? I believe the norm is a few thousand dollars, which makes this valuation even m
by Jabbles 15y ago
Ask HN: How much (if at all) does your employer reward you for filing a patent?
I believe the norm is a few thousand dollars, which makes this valuation even more sickening. I hate the stifling nature of the current US patent laws, and hate the idea of spending my time pretending to be a lawyer rather than an engineer. But, if a patent is so valuable, it's disappointing if a company does not reward the "inventor" proportionately.
- ohgodthecat 15y agoSometimes you get a percent of profit for the patented applications but it is usually a lower percent (think 1-7%) and I don't know how it would factor in a sale like this. This is more for non-software patents though
- HeyLaughingBoy 15y agoAt the places I've worked it doesn't make a difference. You get paid for patent approvals (and at one place, for filings and approvals). Doesn't matter what the patent is for: software, electronics, mechanical, chemistry...
- HeyLaughingBoy 15y agoWhy pick on patents? I can't think of any employer who rewards workers "proportionately" unless they are on direct commission. I was one of a small group of engineers that developed a product that has earned the company many millions of revenue. "All" I get is a salary. I single handedly coded something that had a direct saving to the company of $3 million. "All" I got was a salary. At least if I'm awarded a patent, I get a few hundred $$$ out of it.
- antihero 15y agoAnd slowly the cracks begin to show in this system.