Why why oh why
For years, IBM has sponsored an "Invention Achievement Award Plan" to incentivize employee innovation. In exchange for filing patents, or for publishing articles that served as defense against rival patents, IBM staff were awarded points that led to recognition and potentially cash bonuses.
And for each plateau achieved, IBM would pay its inventors $1,200 in recognition of their efforts.
Shame they didn't include a bag of crisps and a voucher for haircut.
But in seriousness, why would anyone agree to that? Seems like so many engineers are smart in their narrow field, but otherwise extremely gullible and naïve.
I could understand if corporation had to contribute a substantial capital that led to discovery, but still without proper royalty split and company shares, it's not even worth to think about it.
I am generally against patents as they are no longer fit for purpose, but if you have some good ideas, start your own business.