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

Well my 2cents says that as long as you do not expose any proprietary secrets of the company for which you wrote the code, you should be able to show the code to a prospective client. The key here is "Show" not use! I know it makes little sense to re-write something but it will save much grief. An alternative to this dilemma of course is to develop your core code on your own dime and grant you client non-exclusive rights to use it (your copyrighted code), that way you need not be concerned about proprietary secrets and you wind up saving a great deal of time. A different twist to this is while you are negotiating with a client you ask for rights to the code, (not the process) and you should come out ok.

-----Original Message-----
From: Blair Steve (Central Services) [mailto:sblair@vodafone-cs.co.uk]
Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2000 12:22 PM
To: 'MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com'
Subject: RE: What are a programmer's rights to what he writes?

Is this not IPR Intellectual Property rights

Steve Blair

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nathan M. Andelin [SMTP:nathanma@haaga.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2000 2:49 PM
> 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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