united-states intellectual-property software california
Do software developers typically retain ownership of work done OUTSIDE of work?
<p>As a developer at a large software company, am I entitled to the right to work on my own projects, independent of my employer? I am referring to work completed on unpaid time, using only my own resources, not competing with the employer, and using no software or intellectual property from the employer.</p>

<p>Is there a typical answer to this question?</p>

<p>At common law, your employer owns everything produced in the course of your employment. Your contract may give them more or less than this.</p>

<p>To protect yourself you need to be rigorous in documenting what you do for them vs what you do for you: how, when, what and where.</p>
