IBM ends inventor reward program, cancels points for patents
www.theregister.com
Big Blue staffers aren't pleased to lose out on potential bonuses

IBM scraps rewards program for staff inventions, wipes away cash points | Big Blue staffers aren’t pleased to lose out on potential bonuses::Big Blue staffers aren’t pleased to lose out on potential bonuses

  • AngryCommieKender@lemmy.worldEnglish
    40·
    10 months ago

    It’s even more insane when you find out that IBM has a history of forcing their employees to sign contracts that state that anything that their employees work on at home in their own free time, is the property of IBM

    • Alchalide@lemmy.worldEnglish
      28·
      10 months ago

      A company where I applied wanted me to do that as well. I was going to be a truck driver…

      • jaybone@lemmy.worldEnglish
        101·
        10 months ago

        No it’s not.

        If this were such a common practice there would hardly be any US contributors to open source projects.

        • UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.worldEnglish
          8·
          10 months ago

          The legal practice is common. Enforcement is significantly more challenging (particularly when you’re working under an online alias in a niche space).

      • andrew@lemmy.stuart.funEnglish
        5·
        10 months ago

        IP assignment is extremely common, but there are almost always exceptions that you still own the IP if it’s your own time, your own equipment, and not directly related to what you do for your employer.