[nitrogen]

Depends on the state, but often if you make something that relates to your employer's business, even on your own time, your employer owns it.

[thrusong]

I don't know the laws here in Canada but I was always under the impression if you do something on your own time with your own equipment, you own the IP. It's been that way at several of my employers in the creative fields.

I only spent two hours building the initial Picture Perfect prototype, so at least it got something done when my former boss couldn't deliver something after two years of people begging for an easier way.