Legal Question in Intellectual Property in Florida
The confidentiality agreement I signed to work for my current employer (Walt Disney World) seems to tell me that it owns every idea or concept I conceive or develop while I'm employed by them. Is that possible that Walt Disney World owns any money-making ideas I conceive while working for them, even if I gained these ideas outside the company's influence through my own personal reading and creativity?
The contract states: "I do hereby agree to fully and promptly disclose to the Company and to hold in trust for the sole benefit of the Company, any and all intellectual property, discoveries, or trade secrets which I may soley or jointly conceive, design, develop, create or suggest or cause to be conceived, designed, developed or created during the period of time I am in the employ of the Company, which relate to or are connected with my employment or the business of the Company, whether or not conceived or created during my regular working hours. For purposes of this agreement, the term intellectual property shall include, without limitation, any ideas, concepts, literary material, designs, drawings, illustrations and photographs."
1 Answer from Attorneys
As a Franchise Attorney I can say the answer is yes. That's how Disney and others operate. Notice the quoted portion says "whether or not conceived or created during my regular business hours." The only caveat is they must relate to your employment or the business of Disney, a very broad statement. Consult with a good business or franchise attorney in your area for specific advice.
Mr. Franchise - Kevin B. Murphy, B.S., M.B.A., J.D.
Franchise Foundations, a Professional Corporation
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