Yes, I've dealt with this very issue several times while working as a contractor. Usually, employers are just re-using a boilerplate contract. Several times w

Yes, I've dealt with this very issue several times while working as a contractor. Usually, employers are just re-using a boilerplate contract. Several times we just agreed to scratch the offending terms, signed the amended copy, and moved on. Others were more involved; in one case I ended up working with HR and Legal to modify a contract that was drawn up years ago with authors in mind, and which applied poorly to software. In terms of pointers to a benign contract, I'm afraid I can't help. I presume they do exist though, as I know of several sites that sell boilerplate legal documents for re-use by small companies. Surely at least some of them must be good.