I did it with large and small. The largest one was General Motors (ca 1998). I negotiated the IP agreement with my first industrial employer. I didn't get a

I did it with large and small. The largest one was General Motors (ca 1998). I negotiated the IP agreement with my first industrial employer. I didn't get all the terms I asked for but I did get enough to make it worth while to sign. An additional requirement might be that you actually have to be an inventor with a proven track record. If your proven record and skill set is indistinguishable from millions other workers, you are hosed no matter what. You have to take what you can get. In that case, it doesn't matter because you have no IP to protect anyway. Most IP agreements are written by lawyers who arrange the terms to be totally one sided. Your employer is to have absolute claim over the entire contents of your life. THAT is simply unacceptable. Yes, you need a job but the employer needs someone who can do the work as well. You don't have to agree to be a rightless drone. A job like that is not worth having. You have the right to pursue your skill to make a living. An employer does not have the right to prohibit that. Ask for terms that respect BOTH your and your employer's rights and you are likely to have them accepted.