This Corporate Patent Policy template provides a starting point for drafting a company's patent policy. The purpose of a corporate patent policy is to ensure that appropriate steps are taken to identify new inventions, obtain patent protection, enforce patent rights, and avoid infringement of third party patents. This template includes drafting notes with practical guidance. A corporate patent policy is important in maintaining the company's level of innovation and protecting its investment in research and development. Before adopting a corporate patent policy, you should research any applicable state law regulating assignment of employee inventions. See Assignment of Employee Inventions State Law Survey. A corporate patent policy should include sections that reiterate an employee's assignment or obligation to assign inventions to the company; educate employees on procedures for disclosure, evaluation, and patenting of new inventions; inform employees about any company patent and ...