2 ms·

Some other questions I would want the answers to: 1) Is a Non-Compete Agreement required and what are the terms (time and geographic coverage; compensation dur

Some other questions I would want the answers to: 1) Is a Non-Compete Agreement required and what are the terms (time and geographic coverage; compensation during the non-compete time frame)? 2) Is the company going to assert ownership over IP created before employment began? 3) Is the company going to assert ownership over IP created that is unrelated to current responsibilities (or IP in a area unrelated to the company's current business), especially IP created on the employee's own time, not using any company resources?

vadimberman 9y ago
In California, the non-compete is not worth the paper it's written on: http://prodigylaw.com/CA_Death_of_Non-Compete.html http://prodigylaw.com/CA_Death_of_Non-Compete.html and the state with the strictest non-compete enforcement, Massachusetts, seems to be close to the long-anticipated reform: https://www.faircompetitionlaw.com/2017/10/10/massachusetts-noncompete-reform-what-you-need-to-know-by-october-31/ https://www.faircompetitionlaw.com/2017/10/10/massachusetts-... and https://www.faircompetitionlaw.com/2017/10/31/taking-aim-at-the-hearing-on-massachusetts-trade-secrets-and-noncompete-bills/ https://www.faircompetitionlaw.com/2017/10/31/taking-aim-at-.... With the reformed bill in place, the non-compete clause in Massachusetts will also be a hollow threat unless multiple (unrealistic) conditions are met.
ryandrake 9y ago
These are great questions to ask any company, not just AI/ML companies. Also, if you're planning to do it: 4) What is the companies policy on employees moonlighting / doing side contract work for other companies not related to it's business? Inquire about this before you get your offer. Ask me how I know... EDIT: Another one, which is kind of risky but I personally think is important and would ask any small company: 5) How transparent/open are you about the company's financial health? Are the books open or semi-open? Keeping in mind that some companies will not share this information and may even find the question offensive. One time I asked the owner/founder this, and he would not share--I found out later through a side channel that he was very offended that I asked for this information (but hired me anyway because he needed someone like me).
- abraae 9y ago
  Red flag if asking this question courteously causes offence.

vadimberman 9y ago

In California, the non-compete is not worth the paper it's written on: http://prodigylaw.com/CA_Death_of_Non-Compete.html http://prodigylaw.com/CA_Death_of_Non-Compete.html and the state with the strictest non-compete enforcement, Massachusetts, seems to be close to the long-anticipated reform: https://www.faircompetitionlaw.com/2017/10/10/massachusetts-noncompete-reform-what-you-need-to-know-by-october-31/ https://www.faircompetitionlaw.com/2017/10/10/massachusetts-... and https://www.faircompetitionlaw.com/2017/10/31/taking-aim-at-the-hearing-on-massachusetts-trade-secrets-and-noncompete-bills/ https://www.faircompetitionlaw.com/2017/10/31/taking-aim-at-.... With the reformed bill in place, the non-compete clause in Massachusetts will also be a hollow threat unless multiple (unrealistic) conditions are met.

ryandrake 9y ago

These are great questions to ask any company, not just AI/ML companies. Also, if you're planning to do it: 4) What is the companies policy on employees moonlighting / doing side contract work for other companies not related to it's business? Inquire about this before you get your offer. Ask me how I know... EDIT: Another one, which is kind of risky but I personally think is important and would ask any small company: 5) How transparent/open are you about the company's financial health? Are the books open or semi-open? Keeping in mind that some companies will not share this information and may even find the question offensive. One time I asked the owner/founder this, and he would not share--I found out later through a side channel that he was very offended that I asked for this information (but hired me anyway because he needed someone like me).

abraae 9y ago
Red flag if asking this question courteously causes offence.