Legal Question in Intellectual Property in Arizona
Employer Takes Design from empolyee
I thought of a new design for a product where I am employed. I designed the product on my own time ;blueprinted,rendered. Then presented the concept to the company at which I am employeed.The company said Well I just don't know first,then no cant be done. Now I've found that the rendering I summitted to the company is gone.Its been taken to corporate headquarters and is in the hands of there design engineer.Without compensation or payment to me.Do I have a leg to stand on
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Employer Takes Design from empolyee
Are you willing to risk your career over this? You may have a leg to stand on if the design was not done with company equipment or time and was not within your job description and does not relate to the company's business and does not involve use of any company proprietary information. A lot of ifs, but your post sounds like you may satisfy many of the ifs. Call or email me with specifics if you want more precise advise. This is a matter to discuss with a patent attorney versed in trade secrets, as you are probably in a grey area with a result dependent on specific facts.