I did not know this more than half-a-decade earlier. I had even added the stuff I want to work on as an exception clause in the form. But it turns out that th

I did not know this more than half-a-decade earlier. I had even added the stuff I want to work on as an exception clause in the form. But it turns out that those apply only to (A) inventions/patents type of IP, and (B) work done prior to signing the form. Reading the form that I signed, doing extensive online research, and then reading the form again, I found that the form has been very carefully crafted to take care of every type of IP possible and yet without violating any laws including those of California. In my case at least, I am skeptical that not signing the form would have worked. But may be. I'll certainly be smarter next time around!