Re:Ask HN: Using a side project at my day job
by alok-g on Saturday December 21, 2013 @12:35PM
(#6947250)
Great points.
I would add to #1 that since the tool is clearly related to the line of business of the company, even working on it outside the work hours may not be enough to keep it isolated.
So if some agreement is worked out with the employer on use of this tool, the same agreement may further include provisions for keeping it isolated.
For #2. Not sure how this would help, but it is also possible to release the source of the tool while still retaining full rights to it (i.e., release without a FOSS license). This can prevent the third parties from using the tool, and "may" provide some protection from the employer as evidence of what was developed before using it for work.
I would add to #1 that since the tool is clearly related to the line of business of the company, even working on it outside the work hours may not be enough to keep it isolated.
So if some agreement is worked out with the employer on use of this tool, the same agreement may further include provisions for keeping it isolated.
For #2. Not sure how this would help, but it is also possible to release the source of the tool while still retaining full rights to it (i.e., release without a FOSS license). This can prevent the third parties from using the tool, and "may" provide some protection from the employer as evidence of what was developed before using it for work.
Note: IANAL.