[sliverstorm]

You are spot on with most of that, but #3 is not exactly true. When you sign on for $100k/yr you are almost guaranteed to have signed a non-compete clause, as well as a clause generally surrendering rights to novel work.

It's somewhat of a blurry, contentious line I don't well understand, but if you are working for Google chances are you can't incubate a software startup by moonlight.

[phxrsng]

I agree - but I'd say Google is a bit of an outlier. Many software companies have non-competes with more limited scope by virtue of their product being related to one specific industry that you can't compete with.

So maybe its more of a "maybe you can" thing.

[holdenk]

I am not a lawyer, but it might be worth talking to one especially if you are in California and interested in moonlighting.