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I quit my job today to make video games full time

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Re: I quit my job today to make video games full time

#41

Post by ryandrake »

icedchai wrote: post #26
RobertRoberts wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Just reporting what I found, I think the guy is on thin ice. If the company treats him well though, he will be fine.

"Thin ice"? I doubt it. As long as this has nothing to do with his employers business, he's probably fine. Remember even if he's technically in "violation", the company has to care enough to go after him. Most of the time it won't be worth it.

It will matter when it matters. If he stumbles into making the next Minecraft, you better believe his former company will unleash the lawyers to at least get a cut or own the IP outright. If he ever seeks outside funding, investors will dig into IP ownership during due diligence and ask “when, precisely, did you start working on this?”

Every large tech company I worked for has been crystal clear during orientation: they own everything I do... on my own time or on theirs, using my own equipment or theirs. There was no ambiguity. Maybe his former employee is more chill. Maybe they won’t go after him. Maybe it won’t be worth it. That’s a lot of maybes to hang your livelihood off of.

Re: I quit my job today to make video games full time

#42

Post by neilv »

commandlinefan wrote: post #19

You left a job that gave you a cubicle? Man, I'd kill for a job that gave me a damned cubicle instead of a cacophonous open office... but sadly there are none left except for the one you just gave up.

That low-wall cube with the open end is still nicer than almost all employer-provided workspaces I've seen recently.

(And, speaking as something of an expert on cubicle fine living, I instantly see, in that photo, a dozen potential aesthetic and ergonomic improvements, which would make it even better.)

Re: I quit my job today to make video games full time

#43

Post by neilv »

bbayer wrote: post #29
commandlinefan wrote: post #19

You left a job that gave you a cubicle? Man, I'd kill for a job that gave me a damned cubicle instead of a cacophonous open office... but sadly there are none left except for the one you just gave up.

Hallway and cubicle just make me think that probably he works for an established defence company.

It also looks like some of the hallways at MIT, and I suppose one is less likely to get in trouble for photographing there.

Re: I quit my job today to make video games full time

#44

Post by icedchai »

ryandrake wrote: post #41
icedchai wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Thin ice"? I doubt it. As long as this has nothing to do with his employers business, he's probably fine. Remember even if he's technically in "violation", the company has to care enough to go after him. Most of the time it won't be worth it.

It will matter when it matters. If he stumbles into making the next Minecraft, you better believe his former company will unleash the lawyers to at least get a cut or own the IP outright. If he ever seeks outside funding, investors will dig into IP ownership during due diligence and ask “when, precisely, did you start working on this?” Every large tech company I worked for has been crystal clear during orientation: t…

If he stumbles on to the next Minecraft, he'll have enough cash to keep those lawyers busy for years while he still makes a nice living. Odds are he won't and nobody cares.

Re: I quit my job today to make video games full time

#45

Post by _chris_ »

XJ0OYtjb wrote: post #13
tcbawo wrote: post #4

Be careful about doing side projects on work time or with company resources. Some vindictive employers may use this against you.

Comments from the author on the subject: https://imgur.com/gallery/CVq5bO8/comment/1698922551 > I am careful. I worked with my company's IP department to get a clear. I had to sit with a company lawyer to explain my video game. > Also they are COMPLETELY different industries. So they didn't care. It was the weirdest meeting that laywer had ever had at my company.

Great to hear he did his homework!

Last I looked into this, AIUI, the default in the US is "everything the employee does the employee owns" (damn you wedding photographers!).

So naturally, virtually every tech company contract will have a "work for hire" clause which says "never mind that, everything the employee does the company owns (on or off the clock, in the shower, whatever, it's all ours)".

California adds an extra exception, which is "whatever the employee does (on their own time and equipment) that is 'unrelated to the company's business' is still the employee's." While that may safeguard my oil painting hobby, I'd always be nervous about any programming (game or otherwise) if I work for a tech company...

Re: I quit my job today to make video games full time

#47

Post by RobertRoberts »

icedchai wrote: post #44
ryandrake wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It will matter when it matters. If he stumbles into making the next Minecraft, you better believe his former company will unleash the lawyers to at least get a cut or own the IP outright. If he ever seeks outside funding, investors will dig into IP ownership during due diligence and ask “when, precisely, did you start working on this?” Every large tech company I worked for has been crystal clear during orientation: t…

If he stumbles on to the next Minecraft, he'll have enough cash to keep those lawyers busy for years while he still makes a nice living. Odds are he won't and nobody cares.

I was sued before over IP stuff, when I was a young kid and was working on a project. They only wanted to sue the large company with the big pockets, but I had to be named because I worked on the project. (freelance work)

Being sued really, really sucks, even if you have no real liability. Especially when you are young.

Re: I quit my job today to make video games full time

#48

Post by sebazzz »

tcbawo wrote: post #4

Be careful about doing side projects on work time or with company resources. Some vindictive employers may use this against you.

Though my employer doesn't care, but I once accidentally used my employers file header on my files instead of my own file header. My employer then suspected I placed intellectual property online. That was a fun conversation but my manager shielded me from me fortunately and at the end it worked out fine. It was a fun exercise using git rebase though. The most ironic part is that I actually use well working ideas I tried in my own code in the code I write for a living.

Re: I quit my job today to make video games full time

#49

Post by icedchai »

RobertRoberts wrote: post #47
icedchai wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If he stumbles on to the next Minecraft, he'll have enough cash to keep those lawyers busy for years while he still makes a nice living. Odds are he won't and nobody cares.

I was sued before over IP stuff, when I was a young kid and was working on a project. They only wanted to sue the large company with the big pockets, but I had to be named because I worked on the project. (freelance work) Being sued really, really sucks, even if you have no real liability. Especially when you are young.

Interesting. Did you have to pay any part of the settlement, hire a lawyer, or what?
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