Yes, generally if you work full time, your employer contractually owns any IP you produce unless you disclose that you're involved in outside projects.
They might own what you do on company time with company resources, but full-time employment does not entail your employer owning the intellectual property you produce on your time with your own resources.
But my understanding is your employment contract can pre-assign that property to your employer, and that contract will be enforceable in (e.g.) California if the IP relates "at the time of conception or reduction to practice of the invention to the employer's business, or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the employer".
Totally depends on your employment contract. Plenty of large places and even smaller places take a “we own everything you create” clause.
Now, now enforceable it is often depends, but the Oculus case is just one major example of how a company can assert ownership of IP created outside of work hours.
heavyset_go|6 years ago
NovemberWhiskey|6 years ago
(IANAL; TINLA)
filmgirlcw|6 years ago
Now, now enforceable it is often depends, but the Oculus case is just one major example of how a company can assert ownership of IP created outside of work hours.