Ask HN: How do you invent with such contracts?

[one2three4]

Reading a proposed employment contract and honestly I'm pulling my hair.

It actually says that anything I make during my time with them -even in non work hours- belongs to them. Same goes for whatever I make 4 months after my termination.

Also that I cannot work for any competitor worldwide -unless me and the competitor is in California!!

How does anybody invent with terms like these?

[haxiomic]

Which country are you in? I know Rodeobe has been downvoted for saying this but in UK, all companies I've contracted for (including Microsoft) either have removed the IP and non-compete clauses or have a system for exceptions that you can mark which projects are your own

I imagine it depends on your leverage in the employment but try having a candid talk about your side projects and explain it's important to you to continue to work on IP outside of work – a system where you explicitly inform them about outside projects could be a compromise for a company who is a stickler on IP

Tech is still a field where good devs are scarce so if an employer has decided on someone, you do have a fair bit of leverage. If a company wasn't open to a good faith discussion about outside IP, that'd be a signal to me to think twice about the culture and working there

[one2three4]

Thanks for the reply. This helps me a lot. I'll try to negotiate these terms.

[magma1983]

not signing the contract?

[one2three4]

Ehm, I need to work to pay bills etc.