Facebook and Google side project policy
What is it? Can I pursue my own stuff outside of work assuming I don’t use any resources.
Google by default owns any IP you produce, even outside work. One way you might go is to publish your project under an open source license but copyright Google (there are some rules about this but in most cases you'll be approved unless you are directly helping a hostile competitor). Another is to ask legal for an exemption to keep your IP rights for work on a specific outside project - then they will have to check that your project doesn't compete with Google's interests. If you go the second route, you need a very clear description of what your project will do (so legal can check that it really doesn't compete with GOOG) but not actually start any work on it (because that initial work before you get permission might count as Google's property).
Damn, so hooli did have the right to own piedpiper
Most likely they will not approve your project. If you want to work on side projects you need to work for a different company. Like Tesla. Facebook/google will compete every future product they make. In California you’re allowed to work on your side project if it’s not directly competing against your employer in the FUTURE. so with fb/goog it’s everything
If you want to work on a side business, don't join any big tech company. I've applied for side projects at both Amazon and Google and been denied both times because they make some BS claim that it relates to one of their thousands of products.
It's true. I'm considering leaving because of this. Had to sell my side project generating 300k a year on joining. Now the guy took it over is making close to 1m a year with **my** app.... Do you know any major company who has reasonable side project policies?
Nope, and damn! Why didn't you just work on that full time if you were making 300k a year?
What happens if you had been working on something before, and you join Facebook or google?
You can’t work on it anymore
How do they check that you’re working on it?
Have they actually gone after employees before for this? And I mean small side projects earning less than a mil a year, not Otto level startup.
Do you really think companies like G/fb have the intent to screw you out of your side projects? They don't. Those clauses are merely to protect themselves from extreme situations like Otto, where someone played foul. You are surely brilliant but the chances of you doing that level of foul are honestly, little, if any. Just go ahead and do stuff. Never let these legalese get in your way of pursuing what you think is worth. Start it, bring it to a point where you think going full time is worth it and then quit. Those who know this, are already doing stuff without asking anyone else, much less Blind. For years. G/Fb have much bigger problems to solve than come after you for a side project.
This is the real answer.
Side note. If anybody is looking to work on something I’m a mobile dev with 5 yrs experience. Anybody else wanna chase that F**k you money?
Clear it with legal before you do anything. This kind of question you don't want to leave to idiots on Blind.
^ this lol