Re: [PLUG] OT: Signing an NDA/Invention Assignment agreement

[Fred Stluka <fred@bristle.com>]

Randall,

I agree with Andrew:

> I've found that some language
> that seems scary is reasonable or even attractive, likewise
> some language that seems innocuous is both scary and unreasonable.

Definitely check with a lawyer.  Should be a quick and cheap job
for them to review it for you.  I've been very pleased with such
work done for me by:
   Richard Katz, Esq.
   610-942-2293
   91 Sean Ln, Glenmoore PA 19343
   RCKatz_usa@comcast.net

He'll tell you right up front how much time it will take him, and
how much he'll charge you, and he'll come in under budget.  He's
taught me a lot about contracts, explaining why it was NOT a good
idea to change some of the standard wording to my own wording,
since certain phrases have acquired very specific meanings in
court cases, and changing them could have the opposite effect from
what you intended.

--Fred
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Open Source: Without walls and fences, we need no Windows or Gates.
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Andrew Libby wrote:
> Hi Randall,
>
> You say you need to sign this by Monday?  What are the
> consequences if you don't? It is my understanding that
> you cant be disciplined for fired for refusing to sign
> something that you were not asked to sign as a condition
> of hiring.  We had a biiiiiig hoopla over this at a company
> I was at years back. I signed agreements with them because
> I felt it was the right thing to do.  But I leveraged
> their inability to force me to help make the agreements
> more reasonable and acceptable to everyone.
>
> I'm no lawyer, but have read and signed a decent number of
> agreements and contracts.  I've found that some language
> that seems scary is reasonable or even attractive, likewise
> some language that seems innocuous is both scary and unreasonable.  
> I've politely turned down probably two jobs
> in the past that required particularly unrealistic
> assignment and non-compete agreements.
>
> I'm in interested to see the language you're concerned with.
>
> Good luck with it all.
>
> Andy
>
>
>
> On 6/10/11 10:50 PM, Randall Sindlinger wrote:
> > Hey Folks,
> >
> > I imagine a number of you have dealt with NDAs before.  I don't
> > remember the last time I needed to think about this.  Now I suddenly
> > have one to sign by Monday.
> >
> > What are the gotchas I should be aware of?  And what about the
> > Invention Assignment part of this?  I have some (I think) patentable
> > ideas, and I've even mused about writing a movie script. _I_ don't
> > think it's "relevant to the subject matter of my employment" but
> > should I be concerned?  Are there any horror stories?
> >
> > Should I be asking for recommendations for an attorney?
> >
> > Thanks all,
> > -Randall
> > ___________________________________________________________________________ 
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