Re:Ask HN: Can I fork my open-source project I created under...
by mlyle on Thursday September 24, 2020 @11:37PM
(#24586346)
For many reasons.
Maybe you have agreed to more restrictive terms than the license for use of the company's software in another agreement that supersede the license grant.
Maybe you knew things about the anticipated development of this open-source project beyond what is currently released and licensed openly, and non-disclosure would complicate your contributions.
Maybe you are subject to a non-compete, and this could fall afoul of some of the provisions.
Maybe the employer could make a claim that he was involved in the license selection, and advocated for the MIT license in bad faith so that he could personally benefit.
Maybe it could be tortious interference, depending upon the individual facts involved.
Maybe you have agreed to more restrictive terms than the license for use of the company's software in another agreement that supersede the license grant.
Maybe you knew things about the anticipated development of this open-source project beyond what is currently released and licensed openly, and non-disclosure would complicate your contributions.
Maybe you are subject to a non-compete, and this could fall afoul of some of the provisions.
Maybe the employer could make a claim that he was involved in the license selection, and advocated for the MIT license in bad faith so that he could personally benefit.
Maybe it could be tortious interference, depending upon the individual facts involved.
This is why you should talk to a lawyer.