prototype scraper

[pollyp00]

Hi, wonder any one can give advice for a friend 0f mine? he sent a prototype to a leading tool manufacturer, they said they have lost it, is he entitled to any compensation, the company involved were interested in manufacturing the hand tool, any advice would be grateful,

[what..the?]

Did he not patent the design first with the patent office. Otherwise they might just steal the design and give him no credit at all, esp likely if they have 'lost it' sounds very much like they just want you to forget about it in the hope they can produce it in the future without you knowledge.

I cannot see that he can get compensation for the loss of the prototype, but did they actually say it would be returned saftey??

I think if they wanted I new one they might have to pay time/material cost. Or if they said they would return it safetly in the first place trying billing them the cost of the items manufacture.

[pollyp00]

thanks for your reply, yes its patent pending, and he said they would return prototype, have waited roughy 3 month for it to be returned,has sent other blades back but not original prototype

[Twenty20]

Depends on what terms you sent it. Was it as a sample, in which case you probably can't claim for it. If it was stated that they must return it, and it wasn't sent to them unsolicited, then they would need to return, replace or compensate for its loss.