Depends entirely upon the agreements you signed when you were hired. Most companies will not claim ownership of an invention or IP if it was not created on comp

Depends entirely upon the agreements you signed when you were hired. Most companies will not claim ownership of an invention or IP if it was not created on company time or with company resources. Some companies also employ a non-compete contract that forbids employees from starting businesses within the same market. Hopefully, you kept copies of all of the documents you signed! I believe that you are entitled to copies upon request in the US, but your mileage may very by state/local laws. If you are planning to start a business around your IP, I would strongly encourage you to contact a lawyer for a consult, if not out right retaining a lawyer's services. Going over the fundamentals as well as clearing any potential regulatory hurdles before you start making a profit will save you a lot of headache later. small mistakes in the area of law have a way of becoming exceptionally burdensome for small businesses, often at the worst possible times. Also, a good accountant is worth their weight in gold for a fledgling business! Don't let capital gains taxes and general business account requirements surprise you. The government is far less forgiving than the market. Nine out of ten businesses fail in the US. If only one of those nine fail due to accidentally running afoul of laws or tax mistakes, then you've doubled your chances of success by being prepared.