LAW OF IDEAS -- OUTLINE # 6

September 26, 2000


I.     Should ideas be in the public domain?
A.   HYPO:
X wants to conduct contest in NC

Y submits idea to X

X uses Y’s ideas but pays nothing

B.     Property right in ideas?

C.     Contract

1.     Quasi contract

2.     Express contract

3.     Implied in fact contract

                          IMPLIED CONTRACT & PAYMENT
TYPE INVOLUNTARY OUTCOME
Unsolicited Involuntary No
Unsolicited Voluntary Generally yes (unless recipient
rejects disclosure Cal. - yes; N.Y. - no
Solicited Voluntary Yes
E.     Confidential relationship
II.     Miscellaneous Issues
A.     Idea prerequisites
1.      Concreteness

2.     Novelty

3.    Reeves, p. 387

LAW OF IDEAS THEORY



 
 

THEORY WIN? CONCRETENESS NOVELTY
Property If trade custom Yes Yes
Contract: Quasi Almost never Yes Yes
Contract: Express Yes, if used No No
Contract: Implied Raarely Maybe Yes
Confidential relationship Yes No No

II.    Trademark Searches