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Developers’ side projects

joelonsoftware.com

11–20 of 411 posts

Re: Developers’ side projects

#11
post #6
post #2

this is an absurd agreement, i have never heard of something like this in germany. Is this common in other countries?

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.

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

Re: Developers’ side projects

#13
The hope that one of my side projects will some day succeed, and I can leave my 9-5 is the only thing that drives me. If I said, "welp, legal" i'd die inside. Some people have church, I have side projects.

Re: Developers’ side projects

#16
post #12

IIRC california if you don't use company assets, side projects are yours. Speaking of, I'd like some collaborators to help with my side project "Terra Plant": https://baqqer.com/collaborate

I recall that as well... Mostly from reading it 90 seconds ago in the linked article ;)

Re: Developers’ side projects

#18
It's disappointing that there are no conventions or legislation to rectify this situation. I have several side projects going right now, and it gets frustrating going to interviews and being asked to give up all of it just for the supposed "privilege" of being able to write code for a larger company. The solution I've found is freelancing, but this has the problem of not really providing steady work.

Re: Developers’ side projects

#19

I haven't heard about many disputed cases. I'd hope that if Google went around suing for possession of unrelated side projects, we'd hear about it. Maybe the possibility of being publicly shamed is a deterrent from pursing ownership.

Not just that it's horrible for morale. Imagine other developers hear about this. Then they start demanding shit in their contracts.

Re: Developers’ side projects

#20
post #12

IIRC california if you don't use company assets, side projects are yours. Speaking of, I'd like some collaborators to help with my side project "Terra Plant": https://baqqer.com/collaborate

I recall that as well... Mostly from reading it 90 seconds ago in the linked article ;)

then he saved some people some clicks ;)
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