Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site u1100a.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!floyd!whuxle!spuxll!abnjh!u1100a!sdo From: sdo@u1100a.UUCP (Scott Orshan) Newsgroups: net.legal,net.jobs Subject: Intellectual property agreements with an employer Message-ID: <550@u1100a.UUCP> Date: Thu, 9-Feb-84 17:19:57 EST Article-I.D.: u1100a.550 Posted: Thu Feb 9 17:19:57 1984 Date-Received: Fri, 10-Feb-84 09:03:14 EST Organization: Central Services Org., Piscataway, NJ Lines: 69 [] What does the following really imply? Our employer has given us this document to sign in return for a dollar. I'm sure many of you have seen such forms, but I was wondering what the true legal meaning is. Am I really signing away as many rights as it appears? I'd be curious to see summaries of other companies' agreements (not the whole thing, please) and any first hand facts regarding enforcement of such agreements, either successfully or unsuccessfully. There must be a lot of people out there who have left big companies to form small ones, or become consultants. Also, can I be forced (as a condition of continued employment) to sign such an agreement? (Not that I would ever consider not signing - does :-) have any legal weight?) Employee Agreement Regarding Intellectual Property IN CONSIDERATION of my employment by CENTRAL SERVICES ORGANIZATION, its successors and assigns ("CSO"), the payment to me of the sum of one and no/100 dollars ($1.00), and other good and valuable consideration: 1. I hereby assign and agree to assign to CSO, its successors and assigns, all my right, title and interest in and to all inventions, discoveries, improvements, ideas, computer or other apparatus programs and related documentation, and other works of authorship, (hereinafter designated "Innovations"), whether or not patentable, copyrightable or susceptible to other forms of protection, which during the period of my employment by CSO or by its successors in business, I have made, conceived, created or developed, either solely or jointly with others, in the course of such employment or with the use of CSO's time, material, or facilities, or relating to any subject matter with which CSO is or may be concerned. 2. I further agree, without charge to CSO, but at its expense, (a) promptly to disclose any such innovations, (b) promptly, upon request, to execute a specific assignment to CSO of all rights, title and interest to such innovations, including property rights arising from patent applications, and (c) to do anything else legally and ethically required to secure patents, copyrights or other forms of protection for such innovations in the United States, and in other countries, both during and after my employment. 3. I further agree, that I will keep in confidence and will not, except as required in the conduct of CSO's business or as authorized in writing on behalf of CSO, publish, disclose or use, or authorize anyone else to publish, disclose, or use, during the period of my employment and subsequent thereto, any private or proprietary information which I may in any way acquire, learn, develop or create by reason of my employment by CSO. Scott Orshan CSO, Piscataway 201-981-3064 {ihnp4,allegra,pyuxww,abnjh}!u1100a!sdo