Google claims copyright on employee side projects (twitter.com)

Article summary

The article discusses Google's claim of copyright on employee side projects, with the company's contract including a clause that has been interpreted in different ways. The contract states that employees own things they make on their own time unless they're using company equipment, and the thing does not relate to company business or result from work done for the company. The discussion revolves around the interpretation of the contract and the use of company equipment for personal projects. The exact wording of the contract and its implications are debated by the commenters.

Main themes

• copyright and ownership
• employee side projects
• company equipment and resources
• contract interpretation
• work-life separation
• industry norms and laws
• employer-employee relationships
• intellectual property rights

What commenters say

• The contract's wording is clear and unambiguous, and employees should be able to own their side projects if they meet the specified conditions.
• The use of company equipment, even if it's just a laptop, can be considered as using company resources and thus affect ownership of the project.
• Employees should keep their personal and work projects separate to avoid any potential issues with ownership and copyright.
• The company's claim of copyright on employee side projects is overly aggressive and may not be enforceable in court.
• The interpretation of the contract depends on the context and the intention of the parties involved, and a judge may rule in favor of the employee if the company's intention is not clear.
• Using personal equipment for work and personal projects can help avoid potential issues with ownership and copyright, but may not always be practical or allowed by the company.
• The company's stance on copyright and ownership of employee side projects may be a reaction to real fears and threats, but may also lead to combative responses from employees.
• The law and company policies regarding ownership and copyright of employee side projects can be complex and nuanced, and may vary depending on the jurisdiction and industry.