Dear Scholars,

I left academia last May, and since then, life has been looking up. Six months before my departure, I collaborated on a joint patent for a novel protein I modified. I had an agreement with my then-mentor to be part of the patent and the first author.

However, after I announced my departure, my mentor changed his stance. The paper was put on hold until the patent was filed, and I left before it was published. Later, a collaborator informed me that my name was missing from the modified and resubmitted patent. This upset me, so I spoke to my former mentor, who told me, "We have decided that you are no longer an inventor."

I left his office without further comment. Now, I have discovered that he is selling this protein to a company in Florida. I want to take legal action for my hard work. I was a postdoctoral associate in their lab.

Do I have a case, or is the academic structure such that he can get away with it? Does anyone have details about such a dispute case that might be relevant?

Nothing my old contract details this matter.

Thanks