[Joe-Z]

>Or do you expect this guy to work for free?

Apparently he did up until now, didn't he?

I agree he should get a percentage of the profits other companies make off of his invention, but it's not like he's entitled to any payments just because he liked to tinker around. Inventor's not a real profession.

[macintux]

> I agree he should get a percentage of the profits other companies make off of his invention, but it's not like he's entitled to any payments just because he liked to tinker around.

The first clause in your sentence is exactly what patents are for; the second clause is...tangential at best.

[Retra]

Everything is done for free up until it is paid for. That doesn't mean that it is fair to not pay for any work done in advance of payment. Not sure what kind of thought process led you say this, but it is not a productive one.