>>>>> "Grant" == Grant Allen <gxal...@gmail.com> writes:
Grant> Armin Marth wrote: >> Hello SLUGers, I work on the help desk for a medical software >> company, and have recently been given a disclosure and >> confidentiality agreement to sign. I have been keeping a keen eye >> on open source software for medical professionals and would like to >> eventually contribute to them. >> >> The point I'd like to clarify is clause 2. "The Employee shall >> acknowledge all inventions, discoveries and designs and all >> writings, art-work, drawings, designs, computer programs (copyright >> works) created during the course of your employment with the >> Employer, belongs to the Employer." >> >> See a copy at http://www.arminmarth.info/disclosure.pdf >> >> Would this stop me from contributing to open source software if >> it's in the same field as I currently work in? >> >> I've been asked to sign this by Monday or I will not be able to >> work on any health care related products, i.e. they'll force me to >> take leave. >> >> Thanks in advance. Armin. Grant> +1 for get legal advice. And another +1. I'd check with the employer as to what that's meant to cover, too. Various of my present and past employers have had a similar clause in my contract, but have been happy for me to contribute to open source projects providing that: -- they're acknowledged, and -- you're not giving away their crown jewels (i.e., their own proprietary IP. And that you're not disclosing anything that could be patentable, or that is trade secret) -- and that you're not using the employer's time and equipment for unauthorised purposes. Which means getting authorisation first! Peter C -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
