[dadkins]

The assignment of invention disclaimer is straight out of Washington state law [http://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=49.44.140]. They're required to put it in their employee agreement, but basically anything done on your own time on your own equipment is yours, by law. You don't need permission to reserve those rights.

The moonlighting, on the other hand, where you make money on your side projects, is not protected by Washington state law (California is much more friendly to that). If what you're doing is not a conflict on interest, you'll still have to negotiate it. If it is a conflict of interest, forget it.

Finally, you're about to sign a contract for hundreds of thousands of dollars and a good chunk of your waking hours. Consulting an employment lawyer is relatively cheap by comparison. They'll be able to fill you in on your rights under the law, what's standard in the contract, what's not standard, what's just plain unenforceable, and what you'll have to negotiate to protect the side projects you care about.