There are companies that make you sign an agreement saying if you produce something while they employ you, then they own that product. Microsoft is one such co

There are companies that make you sign an agreement saying if you produce something while they employ you, then they own that product. Microsoft is one such company. Fortunately (or unfortunately?) I don't work for one of those. I just try to make sure I don't use any company resources (time, equipment, etc) when I work on my own stuff and I work on stuff that has little/no overlap with any of my employer's businesses. If you have questions, you should review the documents you signed when you started working for your employer, and clear it with your management. Yes, talk to a lawyer if you must, but that would be due to an abundance of caution.