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In Canada, you wouldn't be able to work as a software engineer without signing a contract with such a clause. Investors like these clauses because they don't w

In Canada, you wouldn't be able to work as a software engineer without signing a contract with such a clause. Investors like these clauses because they don't want some employee saying "Well, this part of the product I wrote in my evenings, so now that you're selling the company, I'm claiming ownership of it." It can be messy. That said, most companies I've worked for here put that in your contract, but then are more than happy to give you written permission to release rights to (for example) open source projects, or things not related to the business. I worked very briefly for one company which literally tried to assert ownership of photographs we took in our spare time while we worked for them (I won't name them, as they're a little over-litigous). I did not work there for long.

ineedasername 8y ago
Just nod if it rhymes with boracle
ecpottinger 8y ago
In Canada I worked as a computer technician. I often had to design my own circuits and wiring to solve problems. The company I worked for owned all my hardware designs. However, if it was not hardware it was mine. About three years after the company grew I had to sign a contract - the contract clear said they owned all my designs. I crossed that out, wrote in a clause they only got hardware designs made in shop, signed and date it, THEN had the president (small company still) also sign and date the changes. Even if legally challenged, I could prove in court I was acting honestly and the expections of the signed contract.
hexo 8y ago
this company behavior should be extremely illegal. noone can tell you you cant program FOSS in your own time(!!! such as they cant prohibit you from drinking beer on friday night with friends). and claiming stuff such as "Well, this part of the product I wrote in my evenings, so now that you're selling the company, I'm claiming ownership of it." should be equally easy to dismiss by judge as 'crap argument'.
- c2h5oh 8y ago
  I quit my job over that at one of the largest Canadian tech companies soon after the golden hancufs of acquihire expired. As far I'm aware they lost everyone but two engineers of the acquired company within 18 months. I've had that clause in initial version of the contract at every Canadian tech company I've worked at except my current employer - I had to negotiate having it removed, and succeeded except the one time I've mentioned

ineedasername 8y ago

Just nod if it rhymes with boracle

ecpottinger 8y ago

In Canada I worked as a computer technician. I often had to design my own circuits and wiring to solve problems. The company I worked for owned all my hardware designs. However, if it was not hardware it was mine. About three years after the company grew I had to sign a contract - the contract clear said they owned all my designs. I crossed that out, wrote in a clause they only got hardware designs made in shop, signed and date it, THEN had the president (small company still) also sign and date the changes. Even if legally challenged, I could prove in court I was acting honestly and the expections of the signed contract.

hexo 8y ago

this company behavior should be extremely illegal. noone can tell you you cant program FOSS in your own time(!!! such as they cant prohibit you from drinking beer on friday night with friends). and claiming stuff such as "Well, this part of the product I wrote in my evenings, so now that you're selling the company, I'm claiming ownership of it." should be equally easy to dismiss by judge as 'crap argument'.

c2h5oh 8y ago
I quit my job over that at one of the largest Canadian tech companies soon after the golden hancufs of acquihire expired. As far I'm aware they lost everyone but two engineers of the acquired company within 18 months. I've had that clause in initial version of the contract at every Canadian tech company I've worked at except my current employer - I had to negotiate having it removed, and succeeded except the one time I've mentioned