Prior Inventions / Side Projects

BBC / Eng
gRvb61

Go to company page BBC Eng

gRvb61
Oct 31, 2021 12 Comments

In the Facebook offer that I have received, there is a "Prior Inventions" section that I have to fill. There's a side project (web app) that I've been working on the side for some time now, not released in public yet, but I have the domain name and some code on my machine. Does it make sense to list this? I'd love to develop a side project (based on the aforementioned idea, or, potentially some other idea) that would bring me some passive income while being employed at Facebook. Of course that project would be non-competing against Facebook, and I would work on it strictly on my free time, and on my own equipment.

How would you fill the "Prior Inventions" section in a way that provides the maximum security if you want to work (coding specifically) on side projects in the future?

I would be particularly interested to hear from people who work at FAANG and already work on side projects, how do you make sure you are safe while doing that?

EDIT: Regarding what an "invention" constitutes, the contract mentions "all inventions, developments, processes, original works of authorship, code, ideas, trade secrets, know how, discoveries, concepts created by me prior to start working at Facebook"

#facebook #google #amazon #apple #netflix #sideproject

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TOP 12 Comments
  • Just don’t start a YouTube channel talking about Facebook (err Meta)
    Oct 31, 2021 0
  • Prior inventions is looking for patents.

    If there is a more generic IP section excluding the assignment rights to the company. I list all kinds of vague areas where I have side projects and interests, just to cover myself later. Things like “still and motion pictures not commissioned by the company, any tech not related to the role IoT, etc.
    Oct 31, 2021 4
  • Tell them anyways. Send a little summary to the person in charge. I did this for my startup when I got a job with MS. Doesn't hurt, just in case someone comes to claim that you did this on company time.
    Oct 31, 2021 1
  • Prior inventions are patents not this stuff
    Oct 31, 2021 1
    • BBC / Eng
      gRvb61

      Go to company page BBC Eng

      gRvb61
      OP
      Regarding what an "invention" constitutes, the contract mentions "all inventions, developments, processes, original works of authorship, code, ideas, trade secrets, know how, discoveries, concepts created by me prior to start working at Facebook" - sounds like more general than patents?
      Oct 31, 2021
  • Spotify
    NoyU87

    Go to company page Spotify

    NoyU87
    Don’t ask don’t tell
    Oct 31, 2021 1