This form is for an employee invention and confidentiality agreement. For use by a company to retain ownership of any inventions, patents, etc, developed by an employee in the course of employment. Adapt to fit your circumstances.
The Connecticut Employee Invention Agreement is a legal contract between an employer and an employee that addresses ownership rights of inventions created during the course of employment. This agreement serves as a protective measure for employers to secure intellectual property rights and prevents disputes related to inventions developed by employees while working for the company. Key terms often found in a Connecticut Employee Invention Agreement include "employee invention" and "intellectual property rights." An employee invention refers to any discovery, invention, improvement, or development created by an employee that is related to the employer's business or is created using the employer's resources. Intellectual property rights encompass copyrights, trademarks, patents, trade secrets, and other proprietary rights regarding the employee's inventions. It is important to note that there are generally two types of Connecticut Employee Invention Agreements — agreements with assignment of rights and agreements without assignment of rights. 1. Agreement with Assignment of Rights: This type of agreement ensures that all intellectual property rights associated with the employee's inventions are automatically transferred to the employer. The agreement clarifies that the employer will have exclusive ownership and control over the inventions, allowing them to commercialize, patent, or license them without further consent or compensation to the employee. Keywords: assignment of rights, intellectual property ownership, automatic transfer, exclusive ownership, commercialization, patent, license. 2. Agreement without Assignment of Rights: In this scenario, the employee retains ownership of their inventions, but the agreement focuses on disclosure and ensuring that the employer has the right to utilize the invention for specific purposes related to their business. The employer is generally granted a non-exclusive, royalty-free, and worldwide license to utilize the employee's invention. Keywords: invention disclosure, specific purposes, non-exclusive license, royalty-free, worldwide license. In both types of agreements, it is crucial to address confidentiality provisions to protect the trade secrets and proprietary information associated with the invention. Additionally, the agreement may state that the employee has a duty to disclose any inventions promptly and explain the process for doing so, ensuring transparency between the employer and employee. Overall, the Connecticut Employee Invention Agreement clarifies rights, obligations, and ownership relating to employee inventions, creating a framework for effective technology and innovation management within a company.
