Over the last few months, I’ve spent a fair amount of time building a tool that I’m reasonably certain I can sell (nothing novel, don’t get too excited) and I would really like to try. I know there is a customer base and I know it’s useful… because I built it to use myself. But I also plan to use it at work, that’s half the reason I built it. In fact, most of the company templates are just mine that I brought with me when I was hired.
While 90% of the time I spent building it was in the evenings, on my ‘own’ time… perhaps 10% of it was ‘company’ time where I had free time and spent it building this tool.
I’m 90% certain that my employee contract states any ‘inventions’ created are owned by the company, which is pretty standard in my industry. So I have a few questions:
- Does my employer own this tool? (I know you aren’t lawyers, but maybe someone has insight?)
- What is the risk of selling it anyway? What happens if I sell it and use it at work?
- How do I find a clear path forward (without hiring a lawyer. This is practically hobby-tier, I don’t want to take it that far)
Posting from alt account because I’m paranoid and want to retain anonymity JIC
Your story reminds me of this true story.
Steve Wozniak was working at Hewlett-Packard when he designed the Apple II. He did it on his own time but he was often in his office after hours while he worked on the design.
He showed it to his bosses and they dismissed it as a hobbyist item that didn’t fit with HP’s business model, so he was free and clear when he, Steve Jobs, and angel investor Mike Markkula launched the product.
Yes, you need guidance from a lawyer, not Redditors.
That’s an interesting story! Definitely picking up from the answers to take this seriously though which is what I was looking for. Thank you!