Re: What are a programmer's rights to what he writes?

In a message dated 5/23/2000 12:28:08 PM EST, "Nathan M. Andelin" 
<nathanma@haaga.com> writes:

>  Is it illegal for a programmer to use source code he was employed to write?
>  Is it unethical?  For example, should a programmer be able show some of his
>  past source code to a prospective future employer?
>  
>  My question is what rights do programmers have to their works?  And, in 
your
>  opinion, what rights should a programmer have?

I don't pretend to know what the law says, but I think a programmer's rights 
SHOULD be something like a writer.  If I work for a newspaper and am looking 
for another job, I not only can, but must, have a portfolio of clippings of 
articles I have written.  They show the prospective employer what I have 
done, and therefore can do.  Merely having the clippings does not, of course, 
give me copyrights to the material - those are owned by my employeer.  
Showing them does not give copy or commercial use rights to my prospective 
employer either.  However, if I spent most of my time at my current employer 
covering, say, politics I can use the expertise earned to be a political 
reporter at the new place of employment.  I think listings constitue a 'fair 
use' of my stuff and if they do not reveal trade secrets should be OK to show 
to new employers.  Just my .0215 euros, Lance
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