§ 401 — Contract requirements

Every contract for invention development services shall set forth in at least 10-point boldface type, or equivalent size if handwritten, all of the following: (a) A full and detailed description of the acts or services that the invention developer undertakes to perform for the customer. To the extent that the description of acts or services grants the invention developer discretion to decide what acts or services are to be performed by the invention developer, the invention developer shall exercise that discretion to promote the best interests of the customer. (b) A statement whether the invention developer undertakes to construct one or more prototypes, models, or devices embodying the customer's invention. (c) A statement whether the invention developer undertakes to sell or distribute one or more prototypes, models or devices embodying the customer's invention. (d) The name of the person or firm contracting to perform the invention development services, the name under which said person or firm is doing business as an invention developer, and the name of any parent, subsidiary or affiliated company that may engage in performing the invention development services. (e) The invention developer's principal business address and the name and address of its agent in the State of Illinois authorized to receive service of process. (f) The business form of the invention developer, whether corporate, partnership, or otherwise. (g) A statement of the fee charged, and a statement of the approximate portion of the fee charged, if any, that will be expended for services relating to patent matters. (h) A statement that the invention developer does not intend to expend more for the invention development services than the fee charged the customer, if, in fact, it does not, and if it does intend to expend more than the fee charged, a statement of the estimated expenditures of the invention developer in excess of the fee received from the customer. (i) If any oral or written representation of estimated or projected customer earnings is made, a statement of such estimation or projection. (j) A statement that the invention developer acts as a fiduciary in respect to the customer and is required to maintain all records and correspondence relating to performance of the invention development services for that customer for a period of not less than three years after expiration of the term of the contract for invention development services. (k) The name and address of the custodian of all records and correspondence relating to the performance of the invention development services. (l) A statement that the records and correspondence required to be maintained by subparagraph (j) of this Section will be made available to the customer or his representative for review and copying at the customer's expense on the invention developer's premises during normal business hours upon 7 days' written notice, said time period to begin from the date the notice is placed in the United States mail properly addressed first-class postage prepaid. (m) A statement of the expected date of completion of the invention development services. (n) A statement that the invention developer shall deliver to the customer, at the customer's address specified in the contract at quarterly intervals throughout the term of the contract, a written statement of the services performed to date; provided, however, the first such statement need not be delivered until 180 days after the contract is signed and in effect.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 81-542.)