In Patent Dispute, Physician Claims Mass General Exec Said Hospital "Owns" His Brain

A physician has sued Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and its parent, Partners HealthCare System, over who owns the rights to inventions developed in the physician's home workshop, according to a Boston Globe report.

Urological surgeon Joseph A. Grocela, MD, said he signs a contract every two years that gives the hospital system ownership rights to his inventions, such as urological devices. He contends that policy does not apply to what he does at home when he is not working at the hospital, according to the report.

Dr. Grocela also claims Frances Toneguzzo, the top official at Partners' licensing division, said the hospital "trained you, we pay you, we own your brain and therefore own all your ideas."

While Partners' Vice President Rich Copp declined to comment on Dr. Grocela's complaint, he did dispute the alleged statement from Mr. Toneguzzo.

Partners has filed a motion to have the lawsuit dismissed. The case is scheduled for a May 15 hearing.

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