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employer claiming my side project IP — update in comments

Started by HRproSarah_21 · Jul 19, 2025 · 1,015 views · 7 replies
For informational purposes only. This is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.
HR
HRproSarah_21 OP

Has anyone dealt with something like this? I'm not sure what my options are.

employer claiming my side project IP. I've been dealing with this for about 8 months now and the situation isn't improving.

This involves software/code I developed over the past 18 months. I do have documentation proving my ownership and timeline.

What's the typical outcome in situations like this?

DT
desperate_times_etc_10

I've dealt with this before.

I ended up having everything documented, which cost about $3-6 but saved me a lot more in teh long run.

TV
teacher_vibes_29

Following this thread — bump -- also need to know this

CW
clock_watcher_26

Have you tried reaching out to your state's bar association? They sometimes have free resources or mediation services.

HR
HRproSarah_18

NAL, but from what I've read, you should document everything. That's the general rule anyway, exceptions exist.

ZP
zack_patent_17

Fair use is a defense, not a right. The four factors (purpose, nature, amount, market effect) are balanced on a case-by-case basis. Transformative use helps, but it doesn't guarantee fair use.

LO
lost_owner_59

Have you documented the creation date and your original work? That's key for any IP claim.

ST
same_time_80

Copyright registration isn't required but it helps a lot with damages.