My name was not included in an US patent but I am the main inventor. What process I should initiate so that my name is included as an Inventor?
<p>I found about the patent too late while searching for eventual patent. The main idea of the patent under question was entirely my own. It was first implemented in a prototype, and then a production facility was setup in Japan. The patent was issued to two other inventors. One ofthem I knew very well and we worked together on the prototype. Unfortunately, He passed away last year. I do not know the other inventor and I could not find any clue about him nor about the Company name mentioned in the patent (neither could my friends in Japan). </p>

<p>I have all the evidence (and I have witnesses abroad, too) to prove that I am the main Inventor of the patent. Who I should contact so that my name is included as an Inventor of the patent:</p>

<ul>
<li>the law firm under the correspondence address?</li>
<li>the US Patent Bureau?</li>
<li>or third party law firm?</li>
</ul>

<p>Does it matter if the patent has expired because the fees have not been paid?</p>

<p>Correction of named inventors is covered under 35 U.S.C. § 256. If all the parties agree that you should be named, the inventorship could possibly be corrected by a petition (and a fee, most likely) submitted to the USPTO. Otherwise, you may be able to retain a lawyer and sue to have your name added. However, that route would likely end up being rather expensive.</p>

patents ownership name