RE: work contracts inquiry -- MIDRANGE-L

Totally agree with everything Don says here.

Another note: Most employment contracts work by intimidation...not by being
valid.  That said, your new employer will probably NOT back you if you are
violating your contract.  They might hire you, but not assume any
responsibility.

Bob

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-midrange-l@midrange.com [mailto:owner-midrange-l@midrange.com]On
Behalf Of Don
Sent: Monday, October 02, 2000 3:31 PM
To: Shadrach Scott
Cc: MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com
Subject: Re: work contracts inquiry


Shadrach,

1.  Find a good lawyer and let them read it BEFORE you sign anything.

2.  Also, I've been able historically to negotiate ammendments to
non-compete (sign your butt away) contracts and you should probably
consider that here...  ALWAYS keep in mind "what's in it for me" and can
this company punt you on a whim and not only keep your inventions without
any royalties to you as well as be able to attach anything you do in the
near future...

3.  There is NO SUCH THING as a "standard non-compete contract"
REGARDLESS of what personnell may tell you.

Caveat emptor, go get some good legal advice before signing...

JMHO

Don in DC


-------
On Mon, 2 Oct 2000, Shadrach Scott wrote:

>
> I work for a small firm and just a few months ago we merged with a couple
of other companies. The new parent company is coming to us and 'asking' us
to sign this very detailed no competition contract. The original company had
a simple contract that seemed very reasonable to me that requested that we
did not sell services on the side to the companies customers during and for
a year after employment.
>
> The new contract contains that same type of language plus a portion
labeled inventions; That basically says if you create anything, even on your
own time during employment and for 6 months after employment the rights to
that invention belongs to them. Which basically I am understanding to say,
if I create a palm pilot app to keep track of expense reports on the side I
am obligated to send the code to them and they have the right to sell or
distribute the app. Is this practice common in the computer industry? The
contract states that even if you have an idea that may be paten-able you are
to put it in writing and submit it to the company.
>
> This policy seems kind of harsh and I even feel discouraged to play or
even dream on my own time and learn new tools, because if I create a  little
new app I don't really own it or if I want to go into business for my self I
can't do it with a new idea because that would belong to them.
>
> Shadrach
>
>

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