Ok so i've seen alot of talk here about companies and people wanting to go indie. Like most of people i too think about it. But I have a few questions. I understand there's something like unloyal competition in the labor laws, where it says that you can't compete directly with the company you are working for, even though…
Yeah, the best thing you can do is be open with the company and ASK what their stance is. Most likely, you signed something in your employment contract that specifically prohibits you from doing this, but depending on where you work and how nice the people you work for are, it may not be a problem. Often times the…
I don't think you should let it stop you working on something. If they really called you on it and tried to take the IP, they're sending a pretty clear message to you and everyone else you work with what a bunch of dicks you're working for. having said that, I'm referring to projects worked on 100% in your own time. If you…
Satisfaction? What? I'm sorry, but the company you work for has no obligation to provide you satisfaction, or meaning to your life. This is just beyond the scope of what gainful employment is. Nor do they have the right to expect you to spend all of your physical and emotional energy during work hours.... This is just…
did you check with a lawyer? I'd love to hear a professional opinion on this because I was under the impression that there's a lot of standard game contract crap that you cannot pull off as easily in Germany as in, for example, the US. - i.e. the courts are more likely to rule in your favor (like in non compete clauses and…
I agree that is not cool to own everything you do but I disagree completely about avoiding them like the plague. Are you going to avoid EA and all EA studios because of that? I don't think so. Specially if it's a cool project and they have good hours and all that jazz. Just a random company example.
I agree with you, since I have done personal work at home for exactly this reason, but a company would argue that they should be offering full satisfaction at work. And if you're not satisfied then you should speak up about it. Of course I realise this isn't what usually happens but that doesn't mean it's not reasonable…
Even in a QA position (internship for a half year in Germany for one of the three biggest Game Publishers) you are not allowed to work on Indiegame projects which might make money in the future.