This book investigates the historical development of employee innovation and the establishment of corporate intellectual property rights in the United States and Britain between 1800 and 1930. Catherine L. Fisk, a distinguished legal scholar, examines how evolving legal frameworks and societal attitudes shaped the recognition and protection of inventions created by workers within industrial settings. The study analyzes the tension between individual inventiveness and the burgeoning power of corporations, exploring the legal battles and policy shifts that defined the modern concept of intellectual property.

The book is recognized as a significant contribution to the understanding of intellectual property law's historical trajectory. Scholars have noted its thorough research and detailed analysis of the legal and social forces that shaped corporate innovation. The work is considered essential for those studying the history of law, business, and technology, offering a nuanced perspective on the origins of modern IP regimes. Its examination of the interplay between labor and capital in the context of invention provides valuable insights into ongoing debates about intellectual property.