Legal Question in Employment Law in California

If a company's employment agreement states that I must notify the company in writing of any new "inventions" of mine and I fail to do so, what are the possible consequences? What about pre-existing "inventions?" I live in California where my "inventions" (done on my own time, with my own equipment, not interfering with company's business) are protected by California Labor Code 2870.


Asked on 6/10/11, 11:39 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Terry A. Nelson Nelson & Lawless

When you work for a company, it owns any inventions developed with company time, money, assets, ideas, etc., unless your contracts specifically provide otherwise. That's what they pay you the big bucks for. Your employment contract and company policies determine your rights and theirs. Failure by you to comply with requirements could cause termination of employment, and lawsuit by the company to perfect ownership in the invention. Pre-existing inventions have nothing to do with this discussion.

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Answered on 6/10/11, 12:29 pm


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