>"But if it looks like the side project may turn into something more than a side project, it may be a good idea to quit your job, throw away the code, and rewri

>"But if it looks like the side project may turn into something more than a side project, it may be a good idea to quit your job, throw away the code, and rewrite everything from scratch." Or, you could perhaps ask the people in charge to (on paper) waive certain provisions in your non-compete, or IP-sections in your work contract. They are human, and if it doesn't work, you would have learnt a great deal about your current employer just from trying.