Twitter Introduces Employee-Friendly Patent Policy

Twitter said today it plans to implement an Innovator’s Patent Agreement that, in contrast to industry norms, will let its engineers and designers retain some say-so over their creations. Under the agreement, to be implemented later this year, Twitter pledges that the patents will be used strictly for defensive purposes and not wielded offensively without the employee’s permission, an arrangement that would stand even if the patent were sold. In a blog post, VP of Engineering Adam Messinger said Twitter is putting out feelers to see if other companies are interested in following suit.