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."