California Codes, Civil Code - CIV, Division 2 — Property, Part 3 — Personal or Movable Property, Title 2 — Particular Kinds of Personal Property, Chapter 3 — Products of the Mind, Section 984
If the owner of an invention or design does not make it public, any other person subsequently and originally producing the same thing has the same right therein as the prior inventor, which is exclusive to the same extent against all persons except the prior inventor, or those claiming under him.
Notes
Establishes that when an invention or design owner has not made it public, a later person who independently and originally produces the same thing obtains the same right as the prior inventor. That later right is equally exclusive against everyone except the prior inventor and persons claiming under the prior inventor.
Use as reference
Lexinter.net | California Code, Civil Code - CIV § 984 | https://laws.lexinter.net/codes/california/civil-code/division-2/part-3/title-2/chapter-3/section-984