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Where do you live?... if in California they put it in contracts all the time but its void unless extremely blatant meaning you literally are stealing code or le
by moocow01 14y ago
Where do you live?... if in California they put it in contracts all the time but its void unless extremely blatant meaning you literally are stealing code or leveraging your employment to compete directly against your employer.
I used to have a very seasoned colleague who used to say you cant steal code but once you move on you can always rewrite it. In other words, the skills and expertise you learn on the job are always your own intellectual property (in California at least). Knowing his experience Im pretty sure he's done this, gone through the legal gamut, and come out fine.
- drwl 14y agoI live in California. Well I'd like to develop apps/software on the side, and I was told to list things that I made as inventions.
- moocow01 14y agoI wouldnt worry too much about it but if you still are, pay for an hour or two with a Lawyer. The cases where you DO NEED to talk to a Lawyer or your employer are if your current projects compete with your employers. Sometimes this is obvious, sometimes not. Employer makes accounting software and you make first person shooters - not a problem. Employer makes strategy games for the app store and you make first person shooters for the app store - might want to consult a Lawyer. As long as you are doing it on your own time, with your own equipment and it is not in your employers direct line of business - there is nothing to talk about if residing in California. Additionally if your projects are somewhat aligned with your employers projects get them to sign something before you join - its your best time to negotiate this. Another alternative is to cross out any lines you dont like in your employee contract (although it may ruin the employment contract) - I cross out a significant amount in my employment contracts and usually dont hear much about it.