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How to protect Intellectual Property from new employer (midwest.social)

submitted 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) by MNByChoice@midwest.social to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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Pretty sure I will be asking a lawyer, but I want to learn more words and concepts first.

A possible new job wants to own any intellectual property I create and wants me to declare anything I want to keep as my own. This seems normal in my industry as they will be paying me to do some thinking.

Issue is that I have a number of ideas I have been developing. I am going to float some of them as products in my own time, though this may be years from now. Most of these are outside the current market for the company as far as I know.

How is this typically handled? I presume I don't need to have copyrights or trademarks prior and can just list tentative titles.

I am also a little unclear on the spread between "intellectual property" and "an idea I am playing with".

Thoughts? Concepts to investigate?

Edit: I did Internet search this, but I have not found working keywords.

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[–] grabyourmotherskeys@lemmy.world 3 points 8 months ago (1 children)

You are probably very new to working in IT/programming if this shocks you and a clause like this is new to you.

I would ask myself how much a regular salary is worth over the value of a "maybe" idea you are not committed to already.

My personal advice is spend your time and energy honing your skills to increase your leverage with employers. When you are ready to take an idea to market you'll need to understand how businesses work, etc. You can learn that at work. Pay attention to everything.

[–] MNByChoice@midwest.social 2 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I am shocked that people would endanger their personal projects by doing them at work. It often results in a quick firing. (At least I'm places I have been before.)

New job has the kindest version of the clause I have seen, which is why it is interesting.

[–] grabyourmotherskeys@lemmy.world 2 points 8 months ago

I really think people think no one will notice. If you are stealing time and resources from your employer, you probably lack respect for them or have an inflated sense of your importance or expertise.