[bdowling]

> If he had that kind of money he'd be talking to a lawyer not us.

He, and you, may not know that you do not always need money up front to engage the services of a lawyer. Many lawyers extend credit to their clients or allow clients to condition their fee on a successful outcome (a contingent fee). Depending on the desired outcome in this case, such an arrangement may be easy. For example, if OP wants to arrange a sale of the IP to his employer, then the lawyer’s fee could be paid from the proceeds. Some lawyers also take credit cards.

Also, an initial consultation to decide if OP wants to hire a lawyer shouldn’t cost anything. OP won’t get any free advice, but he should get an idea of how a lawyer could help in his situation.

[hef19898]

I always had the impression that programmers and developers should be well enough paid to afford some first legal consulting.

[murgindrag]

(1) Few good lawyers in this space give free initial consults.

(2) Contingency isn't all too helpful unless you definitely go for litigation. OP definitely shouldn't go for litigation here.

[runninganyways]

My point is you don't need to say obvious things. It's a waste of everyone's time.

[jacquesm]

Given the amount of pushback on that in this thread from you and plenty of others it does not seem that it is all that obvious.

[adreamingsoul]

The obvious is not always obvious to everyone. Isn't it a waste of time trying to control the obvious?