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    And vagueness around "during". Is stuff done independently at home done "during employment"? Commented Oct 6, 2010 at 3:21
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    Particularly what @Greg says. I think it's fairly reasonable to assume that any code you write at work and as part of your job belongs to your employer, but many contracts will also be written to imply that anything you write in your own time could be construed to be property of the company as well. Commented Oct 6, 2010 at 3:46
  • When I was in college almost 35 years ago, my friend's dad worked for IBM and was covered by one of those. He had to get a waiver so he could sell clay figurines he made on the weekends at a flea market. I don't think that would hold up in court these days. Commented Oct 6, 2010 at 6:07
  • Oh, it's also common to have a page when you join the company where you list any software projects you work on in your spare time so they'll be exempted. And you can often get a written waiver if you come up with new ideas and the company isn't interested. Commented Oct 6, 2010 at 6:09
  • My employer threatened to fire me if I developed any software outside of work and distributed it since it would be direct competition. I work for a web design company :S So this is a very important clause to watch out for. Commented Oct 6, 2010 at 9:37