Hacker News Reader

US employee here - I've signed one (plus a patents & inventions at one firm) at every firm I've worked at since 2000 or so. Thus far any side projects haven't been a problem for them, as I have made sure to target a different industry. But legally, they could have enforced the contract and taken possession of my code.

View on HN

But legally, they could have enforced the contract and taken possession of my code.

Not necessarily. Depending on what state you live in, there's a good chance that agreement would violate state law and would be unenforceable.

Even winning a lawsuit costs a lot of money and stress. Unless there is a law that makes courts throw out frivolous lawsuits immediately the employer with lawyers on staff still can make your life very difficult

No doubt. I'm certainly not claiming the current situation is ideal. Just pointing out that it's not always as bad as people think.

Some employers allow a waiver against IP ownership of existing side projects related to the industry.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com