Is it reasonable for an investor to ask that their name be included in an invention patent I worked on alone?

Question

I worked on the invention before this investor came in and offered his funding. I am reluctant to putting his name on my invention cause he might just claim it and use it for his own company in case stuff doesn't work out between us.

Answer 1

I wouldn't think so. That doesn't sound right at all.

You should call a lawyer.

Answer 2

It depends.  Are you talking about the "name" as in, you want to go down in history?  Or are you talking about financial issues, like, who owns the patent?

I am guessing by this question that you don't have anything in your contract with the investor covering patents.  You screwed up, but it's too late now.  You may need to consult a patent specialist and and employment law or contract specialist.  It may be that the invention is "work done for hire" and you don't own it.  You may have sold the rights when you took the investor's money.  What did you promise the investor in return for his funding?

Answer 3

What was the agreement you guys reached when he offered and you accepted his funding for helping you with this invention? A lot would depend on that. I would refer to that document and talk to a lawyer. Good luck in resolving this.

Answer 4

No. Not at all. It is actually patent fraud to include (or exclude) a person from the list of inventors inappropriately.  If you do either, your patent could be deemed invalid. Further, if their name is on the patent, they have full rights to the invention. You would not be able to stop them from making or selling the product unless you had a contract or agreement that restricted it.