Does my employer have any right to my inventions if I don't develop it during work?

Question

I am a software developer and in my private time I develop web interface technology that I believe could be protected as intellectual property. Without having any proof that this was created during work hours can my employer claim any rights to the IP?

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Answers: 2 public & 0 private

Steven weinrieb
Patent Attorney

It depends what your employment contract states - some employers want rights to all IP developed by you, some will let you develop non-competing IP and permit you to retain the rights to the IP - consult your employment contract. Also consult a patent attorney who specializes in software patents.

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