Hacker News Reader

Comment by xatax | Hacker News Reader

> “Originally I created Xiki for my own use,” said Muth. “When I was supposed to be doing my boring job as a software dev at banks and insurance companies in Ohio 13 years ago, I started making this thing that let me run commands and navigate files directly from my notes. Ever since then I’ve found myself unable to resist working on it. I use it for everything.”

Isn't this a bit concerning? It sounds like this was created on employer time with employer resources, yet there is nothing about this in the Kickstarter page itself. It seems like there could be a potential legal issue because of this, but there is no reassurance that either it's already been cleared, or that it's a potential risk.

Seems like a big oversight that might prevent some people who read this from contributing.

View on HN

Maybe he does own the IP outright. He negotiated for the right to create side projects and has paperwork to prove it?

Or maybe he figures it's his because it's not within the scope of his employment. i.e. -- has nothing to do with banks in and of itself.

> when I was supposed to be doing my job

No negotiating your way out of that. I know lots of people have done this type of thing at work, but I guarantee you he didn't have anything in his employment agreement that said "If I dick around instead of working and get paid for it like I was working, everything is fine, don't even worry about it."

That's a fire-able offense for any sane employer that doesn't have a 20% time deal or something similar. Hell, most employers specifically address this in the employment agreement.

I've got 15% time at my job, and I still wouldn't do this unless it was going to directly benefit my company, including other people that work here.

Well I know I negotiate for the right to keep developing my own projects. Also, I work remote, and to me -- time is fungible -- I work nights/weekends etc. So if I work on a fun project 'during the workday' it is still mine, didn't become my employers suddenly, I just have to make up the worktime.

That's a major advantage to WFH. Just don't use company equipment when you do it.

I don't like to sound derogatory, but xiki would have to turn into a multi million dollar business before insurance or bank companies would consider any legal action.

"but xiki would have to turn into a multi million dollar business before insurance or bank companies would consider any legal action." Or until they step on the wrong foot, or rub some executive the wrong way.

It's murky water and just because in most situations it'll be "okay", doesn't mean we shouldn't worry about it from the start.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com