If the owner of a product of the mind does not make it public, any other person subsequently and originally producing the same thing has the same right therein as the prior author, and such right is exclusive to the same extent against all persons except the prior author, or those claiming under the prior author.
N.D. Cent. Code § 47-07-08
Identical products of the mind - Rights of respective owners
Official source: North Dakota Legislative Branch. Reproduced from public-domain North Dakota statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.