Re: [SLUG] intelectual property - the real challenge

[Erik de Castro Lopo <erikd-slug@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On 17 May 2003 20:12:51 +1000
Ken Foskey <foskey@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> We have all latched onto the SCO sues IBM thread with abandon.  Don't
> get me wrong this moderately worries me (not a lot, they identify, we
> rip out, we do it again, they cannot sue everyone of us really)
> 
> The real threat to our community that somehow went unnoticed was that
> little article in the Australian about "protect your IP".  Now I am
> wondering who paid for this little gem to be written.
> 
> http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,6422562%255E15319,00.html
> 
> Now read between the lines.  How would your manager read this, lets lock
> up your mind to the company tighter than a drum.  My company has more or
> less forced me to sign an IP agreement, fortunately the IP agreement I
> have with OpenOffice.org predates that agreement and was countersigned
> by a company manager, no legal contest.
> 
> What these legal eagles want to do is lock down your mind as company
> property.  The unfortunate side effect is that it may conflict with Open
> Source development.
> 
> Please be careful of those IP agreements, try and get an Open Source
> clause included.  Don't work on something in direct competition to your
> companies work, I don't think it is ethical.

Agree 2000% percent. Every time I go for an interview I make it clear that
I currently do Free Software/Open Source and that I wish to continue doing
it. 

I would also be very wary about joining a company which works in an area too
close to my Free Software work.

Erik
-- 
+-----------------------------------------------------------+
  Erik de Castro Lopo  nospam@xxxxxxxxxxxxx (Yes it's valid)
+-----------------------------------------------------------+
"In civilian equipment, such as computers, the number
of components alone makes miniaturization essential if
the computer is to be housed in a reasonable-sized
building." Electronics Oct. 1, 1957, p. 178