Who can get a patent?

The only person who is entitled to seek a patent is the actual inventor of the underlying invention. Often times, however, the inventor will assign his rights in the patent to another. For example, if you work for Meglo Company, your employment agreement may require you to assign the rights to any patent you get to Meglo Company. In that event, the person or company who received the patent assignment (the “assignee,” in legalese) has all of the rights that the inventor originally had (that is, the assignee can prevent others from making the invention, selling the invention, etc.).