Legal Question in Intellectual Property in California

I came up with a very cool, original event idea at home (in the hot tub with my husband), then shared it at my workplace and bosses the next day. I was then asked to create a proposal, which was approved. I staged the event (successfully) for two years before being fired from the company. The company is still holding the event (that I created and implemented completely by myself). Is there any way I can keep them from doing it? I'd like to take back ownership of the event and stage it myself.

Thank you.


Asked on 4/02/13, 4:14 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Charles Perry Law Offices of Charles R. Perry

Unfortunately, you may not prevent your former employer from holding the event. You voluntarily shared the idea with your employer, and did not withhold any "rights" to it. You then were paid for staging the event for your company. The company thus has the right to continue staging the event.

One also does not have intellectual property rights in an idea. There should be nothing for you to stage a competing event, if you so desire, provided that you do not use any property of your former employer.

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Answered on 4/02/13, 11:24 pm


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