Nonetheless, they have become important assets for both independent inventors and major corporations.

The bill enjoys broad support from industry leaders, academic institutions and independent inventors.

Most big companies do not take submissions directly from independent inventors.

From 1957 on, he worked exclusively as an independent inventor.

That has set off an offensive from independent inventors and their umbrella organizations.

It typically involves a wide range of independent and corporate inventors.

He spent the last 30 years solving the problems of independent inventors and creative people.

"All these guys are disadvantaged trying to get their technology to the market," the official said, describing independent inventors.

In Jefferson's time, the independent inventor was the source of most technological innovation.

In the process, he is destroying the patent rights of America's independent inventors.