| First: Check your contract. Many companies include clauses about owning work you do whilst employed by the company, not simply work you do in relation to your employment at the company, or on company time. Whether that's enforceable or not in your case I don't know - your best bet is to seek solid legal advice before moving forward, whatever path you choose. If the lawyer you've spoken to can't provide clarity, find another lawyer. Second: Stop working on it until you have clarity. Back everything up, secure it all. You've already opened the Pandora's box; your company is most likely expecting you to play ball with their plans, for better or worse. Don't make your situation more complicated by continuing to work on this until you know what's coming. Protect what you've got, and don't make things harder for yourself by implementing new IP / ideas / features whilst this is all up in the air. Third: Exploit your leverage. You have something they want. Use it to your advantage. Be nice, but firm. It's your baby, and you want it to be treated right. Whether it goes forward under your own steam, or in-house at your company; weigh up the pros and cons of each and make the situation work for you rather than against you. |