Can my tech company claim my open source contributions?

If your clause says "all inventions," yes. But most tech companies carve out open source as a benefit (attracts talent). Negotiate explicit language: "Employee may contribute to open source projects in employee's personal time, outside company work."

Do I own the code I write at home on weekends?

Not if your IP clause covers it. California law gives you more protection; other states less. Negotiate a "Work-Related Exception": code written outside work hours on personal equipment that doesn't use company IP belongs to you.

What is a non-compete for engineers?

A clause preventing you from working for competitors for 1–2 years after leaving. Highly disfavored in California (usually unenforceable). More enforceable in other states if "reasonable" in scope/duration. Tech engineers should always try to remove or shorten non-competes.

Can my tech company claim my open source contributions?

If your clause says "all inventions," yes. But most tech companies carve out open source as a benefit (attracts talent). Negotiate explicit language: "Employee may contribute to open source projects in employee's personal time, outside company work."

Do I own the code I write at home on weekends?

Not if your IP clause covers it. California law gives you more protection; other states less. Negotiate a "Work-Related Exception": code written outside work hours on personal equipment that doesn't use company IP belongs to you.

What is a non-compete for engineers?

A clause preventing you from working for competitors for 1–2 years after leaving. Highly disfavored in California (usually unenforceable). More enforceable in other states if "reasonable" in scope/duration. Tech engineers should always try to remove or shorten non-competes.

AI Contract Analysis

Software Engineer Employment Contract — Protect Your Code

Tech companies have aggressive IP assignment clauses that claim ownership of everything you write—even personal projects. They also restrict open source contributions, enforce non-competes, and claim ownership of code written on personal time if it "relates to company business." Our AI flags overreaching IP terms and helps you carve out protection for side projects and open source work.

Analyze My Contract — Free

What Our AI Covers

IP assignment scope analysis (work-only vs all-encompassing)
Open source contribution rights and restrictions
Prior IP and pre-existing code protection
Side project and personal time carve-out negotiation
Non-compete enforceability for tech roles
Code ownership after leaving company

Upload Your Contract for Instant Analysis

PDF, DOCX, DOC, JPG, or PNG · Up to 25 MB · Results in under 90 seconds

Drop your contract here or click to upload

Supports PDF, DOCX, DOC, JPG, PNG

🔒 Encrypted in transit · Deleted after analysis · Not legal advice

How It Works

Upload your contract

Drop your file or click to upload. We accept PDF, DOCX, DOC, JPG, and PNG.

AI analyzes every clause

Our AI reads the entire contract, identifies clause types, and assesses risk across 12 dimensions.

Get your risk report

Receive a 0–100 risk score with plain-English explanations and negotiation guidance.

Tech/Software Engineer Employment Contract — Frequently Asked Questions

Related Contract Reviews

Similar Contract Types

Learn More

Need review of a different contract type?

Browse all contract types →

Ready to Review Your Contract?

Get an instant AI risk analysis with plain-English explanations. Know before you sign.

Analyze My Contract — Free

Not legal advice · Encrypted in transit · Deleted within 24 hours

← Back to WorkContractReview.com