Patent decision

BL number

O/410/00

Concerning rights in

GB2291342

Hearing Officer

Mr G M Bridges

Decision date

6 November 2000

Person(s) or Company(s) involved

Andrew Webb v Sandra Agnes McGriskin

Provisions discussed

PA 1977 sections 13(1), 13(3), 37(1)

Keywords

Entitlement, Inventorship

Related Decisions

O/036/00, O/135/00

Summary

Mr Webb was a producer of furniture, in particular seating. Ms McGriskin was an Alexander Technique teacher from whom, inter alia, Webb had taken lessons in the technique. On seeing how much easier it was to stand out of a rocking chair that he kept in his workshop, she commissioned a stool on rockers for use in teaching the technique. Subsequently, McGriskin applied for a GB patent in respect of the stool in her sole name. In an interim decision dated 3/02/00 it was decided that there was joint inventorship and proprietorship. In a further decision dated 3/04/00, simple joint ownership was decided.

However, Ms McGriskin failed to file her portion of the renewal fees in a timely manner, and despite repeated reminders she failed to so until the fourth extended month. Mr Webb asked for the order to be varied. It was decided that the patent would proceed in his name alone as sole proprietor, but that Ms McGriskins rights would be safeguarded by the award of an irrevocable, royalty-free licence.

Full decision O/410/00 14Kb