A few decades ago I had a great idea, a really novel, lucrative idea about a device, which I can bet is in your home right now.
At the time I shared my invention with my then boyfriend who asked if it was "alright with me if he looked into getting a patent" for it. I said I was okay with his help with taking my ideas forward, because I trusted that if things ever were really lucrative from this joint venture that he would share this with me.
This product ended up earning a Truly Significant Pile of Money. And, as you can probably guess, I never was compensated a penny.
Later he did mention in a few personal letters that it was my invention which resulted in very good profit from the patent and how grateful he was.
-- Now, I have debts, kids in college and, well, I imagine you might guess how I feel.
Is there any kind of legal merit (Intellectual property laws?) available to me now to pursue fair compensation for his patent made on my device which was, 100%, entirely my invention? Even though the patent was created a few decades ago?
Thanks in advance for your help.
