Title: My friend invented a very exciting technology over the course of many years and received a patent on it. We have been casually working together on developing and commercializing it and there are many promising signs. We work well together and trust each other, and plan to formalize the project by incorporating.<p>I know typically founders are encouraged to assign all relevant IP to the new company, but my friend thinks his patent is worth &gt;$100m and wants to maintain personal ownership of the patent. I&#x27;m worried that if we start a company that uses the invention without owning the patent, our company could be killed at any time by the patent holder. While I trust my cofounder, investors may be turned off and the patent could always end up in the hands of a less benevolent owner.<p>Is there any way we can safely start a company using his invention without holding the patent? Perhaps my friend can grant a license&#x2F;authorization to the new company? Or is my friend being delusional and should just assign his patent to the company?<p>Any thoughts will be appreciated–thanks!
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