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

["Stone, Brad V (TC)" <bvstone@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

If you write it and are payed by the company, it's theirs.  but, that
doesn't stop you from saving a library when you leave, or even easier,
FTPing it to a PC.  :)

That's why I try to do a lot of my programming at Netshare400.com.  That way
it's mine no matter what.  All of my shareware is written on this machine.
I do give it to my employer for free, but I'm thinking about chaning my mind
on that one.  ;)

Brad

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nathan M. Andelin [mailto:nathanma@haaga.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2000 8:49 AM
> To: MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com
> Subject: What are a programmer's rights to what he 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?
> 
> One of the people on this list express his opinion last week 
> that it was
> both illegal and unethical.
> 
> My question is what rights do programmers have to their 
> works?  And, in your
> opinion, what rights should a programmer have?
> 
> Actually, I was forced to defend myself not long ago in 
> Federal court in a
> copyright case.  So, I gained some strong feelings about this 
> issue - as
> well as a clearer understanding of the law.
> 
> I feel this question is appropriate for the people on this 
> list because it
> affects so many of us.  In asking, however, I have two fears. 
>  The first is
> apathy - most of you have probably never needed to assert 
> yourselves on this
> issue.  Second, some of you may feel uncomfortable sharing 
> your opinion in a
> public forum.  For example, an employer who is highly 
> dependent on a skilled
> programmer may not want to risk offending his employee by 
> asserting that the
> employee should have no rights to his work.  On the other 
> hand, an employee
> may not want to offend an employer, or may feel uncomfortable 
> saying he
> ought to have rights even though the law does not support that view.
> 
> If this is the case, I would still appreciate a private and 
> confidential
> e-mail message to me.   nathanma@haaga.com
> 
> Thanks.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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