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First of all I would consider it very unethical to steal your client's idea/project or try to extort money from them just because you believe their idea has pot

First of all I would consider it very unethical to steal your client's idea/project or try to extort money from them just because you believe their idea has potential. You are hired to write code. Bill them for the time & effort it takes you to write that code. Doesn't matter whether the code has potential or not (if it does, great, because you're likely to have future business from them, and possibly end up being hired in a senior position, maybe even CTO). You can communicate this to them as your personal opinion, but make sure you don't come across as threatening. Ideally let them know after the deal is sealed and you already agreed on a rate, otherwise it might come across badly during the rate negotiation where they don't really want to pay X amount of money but at the same time feel pressured to accept otherwise they think you might run away with the project/idea/whatever.

kull 8y ago
100% agree. Super unethical and a potential legal issues. This is why NDA should be always signed and hiring developers out of the country is something that will make you execute your rights to the code and idea harder.
kojeovo 8y ago
> You are hired to write code This is pretty wrong imo. I believe we're hired to create business value. An important question here to OP: Have you signed anything yet.. as in have they hired you yet? Or are you still negotiating? If they're hired on at a discussed rate, and then realized the project has potential - then I agree, too bad. Don't be shitty. But if it's early stages of negotiation and OP believes this is gonna create 1m in business value, and wants 100k for it.. then sure, pitch it to the client. Want the IP after? Ask them. Maybe talk to a lawyer though.
- gammateam 8y ago
  Everything you wrote is based on the idea of OP not already having been hired Way too many assumptions to decide if anybody is right or wrong Someone already hired doesnt get to imagine how their work for hire becomes something they own

kull 8y ago

100% agree. Super unethical and a potential legal issues. This is why NDA should be always signed and hiring developers out of the country is something that will make you execute your rights to the code and idea harder.

kojeovo 8y ago

> You are hired to write code This is pretty wrong imo. I believe we're hired to create business value. An important question here to OP: Have you signed anything yet.. as in have they hired you yet? Or are you still negotiating? If they're hired on at a discussed rate, and then realized the project has potential - then I agree, too bad. Don't be shitty. But if it's early stages of negotiation and OP believes this is gonna create 1m in business value, and wants 100k for it.. then sure, pitch it to the client. Want the IP after? Ask them. Maybe talk to a lawyer though.

gammateam 8y ago
Everything you wrote is based on the idea of OP not already having been hired Way too many assumptions to decide if anybody is right or wrong Someone already hired doesnt get to imagine how their work for hire becomes something they own