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As developers, we're biased towards one view of this issue, but it's intellectually lazy of us to just say "Yeah, we deserve it! Because... fairness!" Last Dec

As developers, we're biased towards one view of this issue, but it's intellectually lazy of us to just say "Yeah, we deserve it! Because... fairness!" Last December, Joel Spolsky wrote about developer side projects, and honestly, he's right. https://www.joelonsoftware.com/2016/12/09/developers-side-projects/ https://www.joelonsoftware.com/2016/12/09/developers-side-pr... My view: In some companies, depending on their business model, it might be reasonable to ask to own your own work on side projects. But it would be reasonable of them to expect you to give up something in exchange (e.g. smaller salary).

Already__Taken 10y ago
Isn't this ignoring the benefit companies might want the kind of talent that can pump out side projects as well as their work? But that's rooted to the 10x engineer myth.
kevin_thibedeau 10y ago
> But it would be reasonable of them to expect you to give up something in exchange (e.g. smaller salary). Except when the side project is useful for your employer and you've effectively contributed free, unpaid labor to developing it.
- superbatfish 10y ago
  The question here isn't whether your should work on side projects at all. It's about who owns the side project when you're done.
  - sillysaurus3 10y ago
    I wonder if the person doing all the work should own it, or the person who did none of the work and gave no capital?
pjc50 10y ago
Why does this only apply to IP? Why isn't the company considered to own the employee's labour 24/7 in all regards? Your employer should be compensated for the labour you spend doing your washing. Or if you happen to spend an hour in the evening driving an Uber or subletting on AirBnB, your employer should own that as well? /s
VLM 10y ago
The same plumber who installed my water heater installed my neighbors toilet so I should own my neighbors toilet. You can't prove he wasn't thinking about his next job while he was installing my water heater so I should own that IP.

Already__Taken 10y ago

Isn't this ignoring the benefit companies might want the kind of talent that can pump out side projects as well as their work? But that's rooted to the 10x engineer myth.

kevin_thibedeau 10y ago

> But it would be reasonable of them to expect you to give up something in exchange (e.g. smaller salary). Except when the side project is useful for your employer and you've effectively contributed free, unpaid labor to developing it.

superbatfish 10y ago
The question here isn't whether your should work on side projects at all. It's about who owns the side project when you're done.
- sillysaurus3 10y ago
  I wonder if the person doing all the work should own it, or the person who did none of the work and gave no capital?

pjc50 10y ago

Why does this only apply to IP? Why isn't the company considered to own the employee's labour 24/7 in all regards? Your employer should be compensated for the labour you spend doing your washing. Or if you happen to spend an hour in the evening driving an Uber or subletting on AirBnB, your employer should own that as well? /s

VLM 10y ago

The same plumber who installed my water heater installed my neighbors toilet so I should own my neighbors toilet. You can't prove he wasn't thinking about his next job while he was installing my water heater so I should own that IP.