Iowa Code § 523G.5

Current through March 29, 2024

Section 523G.5 - Contracts

1. A contract shall set forth information required in this section in at least ten point type.

2. The contract shall describe fully and in detail the services that the invention developer contracts to perform for the customer.

3. The contract shall state the following information:

a. If the invention developer contracts to construct one or more prototypes, models, or devices embodying the invention of the customer, the total number of prototypes to be constructed and whether the invention developer contracts to sell or distribute such prototypes, models, or devices.

b. If an oral or written estimate of customer earnings is made, the estimate and the data upon which it is based.

c. A single statement setting forth both of the following:

(1) The total number of customers who have executed contracts with the invention developer, except that the number need not reflect those customers who have contracted within the preceding thirty days.

(2) The number of customers who have received from the invention developer's services an amount of money in excess of the amount of money paid by those customers to the invention developer pursuant to a contract. The amount received by a customer reported on the statement shall only include payments for services performed by the invention developer involving the development, promotion, licensing, publishing, exhibiting, or marketing of the customer's invention pursuant to their contract.

d. The expected date of completion of the invention development services.

e. The extent to which the terms of the contract effectuate or make possible the purchase by the invention developer of an interest in the title to an invention.

f. A statement explaining that the invention developer is required to maintain all records and correspondence relating to the invention development services performed for that customer for a period not less than three years after expiration of the contract.

g. A statement explaining that the records and correspondence required to be maintained pursuant to section 523G.8 shall be made available to the customer or representative for review and copying at the expense of the customer on the premises of the invention developer during normal business hours upon seven days' written notice from the date of delivery sent by certified mail.

h. The name of the person contracting to perform the invention development services, all names under which the person is doing or has done business as an invention developer during the previous ten years, the names of all parent and subsidiary entities to the person, and the names of all entities that have a contractual obligation to perform invention development services for the person.

i. The principal business address of the invention developer and the name and address of its agent in this state authorized to receive service of process in this state.

a. The customer has an unconditional right to cancel a contract for invention development services at any time before the third business day following the date the customer receives an executed copy of the contract.

b. The customer must notify the invention developer of a cancellation by written notice delivered personally or by certified mail. A notice delivered personally must be delivered to the invention developer's place of business by the end of the third business day following the date that the contract was executed, and the cancellation shall take effect upon delivery. Upon delivery of the personal notice, the invention developer shall return a receipt to the customer acknowledging receipt of the cancellation. A notice delivered by certified mail must be mailed by midnight of the third day following the date that the contract was executed, and the cancellation shall become effective upon the date the receipt is signed. A notice of cancellation may take any form which indicates that the customer no longer intends to be bound by the contract.

c. Within ten business days after receipt of the notice of cancellation, the invention developer shall deliver to the customer, personally or by certified mail, all moneys paid, any note or other evidence of indebtedness, and all materials provided by the customer. The invention developer may condition payment upon a receipt by the customer acknowledging personal delivery.

5. The following shall be included in the contract:

a. A disclosure statement in substantially the following form shall appear in boldface type and be located conspicuously on a cover sheet that contains no other writing:

NOTICE

The following disclosure is required by section 523G.5 of the Iowa Code and is expressly made a part of this contract:

You have the right to cancel this contract for any reason at any time within three (3) business days from the date you and the invention developer sign the contract and you receive a fully executed copy. To exercise this option you may use certified mail or personally deliver to this invention developer written notice of your cancellation. The method and time for notification is set forth in this contract immediately above the place for your signature. The invention developer must return by certified mail or personal delivery, within ten business days after receipt of the cancellation notice, all money paid and all materials provided either by you or by another party on your behalf.

Unless the invention developer is an attorney, the invention developer is prohibited from giving you legal advice concerning patent, copyright, or trademark law, whether your creation, idea, or invention may be patentable, or protected under the patent, copyright, or trademark laws of the United States or any other law. A registered patent agent may give advice as to patentability and protection available under the patent laws.

A patent, copyright, or trademark protection will not be acquired for you by the invention developer or by this contract. Your potential patent rights may be adversely affected by any attempt to commercialize your idea or invention before a patent application covering it is filed. Nonconfidential disclosures of your idea or invention may also trigger certain statutory deadlines for filing a patent application in the United States and would prevent you from obtaining valid patent rights in countries whose law provides that patent applications must be filed before there is a public disclosure. Your failure to identify and investigate existing patents, trademarks, or registered copyrights may place you in jeopardy of infringing the copyright, patent, or trademark rights of other persons if you proceed to make, use, or sell your idea or invention.

b. A disclosure statement in substantially the following form shall appear in ten point boldface type immediately above the place where the customer is to sign:

ATTENTION!

(READ CAREFULLY)

You have three (3) business days during which you may cancel this contract for any reason. You must deliver written notice of the cancellation by certified mail or personally to the invention developer. This opportunity to cancel the contract will expire on the last date that you are allowed to mail or deliver notice. If you choose to use certified mail to deliver your notice, it must be placed in the United States mail addressed to (insert name of invention developer), at (insert address of invention developer's place of business) with first class postage prepaid before midnight of (insert proper date). If you choose to personally deliver your notice to the invention developer, it must be delivered by the end of the normal business day on (insert proper date). You are advised to obtain a written statement from the invention developer acknowledging receipt.

Iowa Code § 523G.5

92 Acts, ch 1114, §6