Discussion:
I'm in Missouri.
I do alot of Access/Database/VB Development in my spare time, as a hobby. I caught the eye of a local company who wanted me to set up a client database for them. They hired me at an hourly wage to come in an program/design this database.
In the process of doing this, several other agencies that do similar work are interested in the Access document. It is my understanding that they (the ones paying my hourly wage for the programming) own the program/access document. I'm cool with that if that is the correct understanding.
What options do I have with these other agencies? I realize my employer could distribute this Access document freely if they wished. Do I have the right to create a new Access document from the ground up on my own time, that does something similar (but improved), and then sell it to these agencies?
Hope this all makes sense. I'm looking for options here...
Answer:
First of all Access is a realtional database. VB is a programming language. A document is a textual representation of either of the above.
So, what exactly are you producing for this company? Would it be an Access Database with full documentation, a VB application with an Access backend and design and user documentation or something else?
Answer:
It's an Access Database. Built from the ground up using only Access. This does include some VB code or VBA if you prefer, although I think it's acutally Visual Basic that Access uses in versions 2000 and older.
Answer:
It's VBA and yes, the company owns it.
You can develope another 'similar' product for someone else but you'd damn well better call it something different, make it signifigantly different in functionality and document the process, keep records of when you work on it and where you worked on it and it had better not be at your employer's place of business.
Oh, and you had better not take any notes or code with you from your employer.
On the oft chance that the other companys think they may want a product 'similar' to this or performing the same tasks, you might also want to consider developing a core program with basic functionality that you will license (sell while retaining the rights to) and include upgrades and personalization for free.
This keeps the core program your baby and the company (each of them) get what they want, including their own interface, logo and functionality. Oh, and documentation with your disclaimer on it about copyright.
Answer:
Great! sounds like I'm headed in the right direction. I haven't run into alot of resistance up front from the company that had me design this thing, but it's best to play it safe and legal. I intend to design a completely diffrent product that accomplishes many of the same tasks in a much diffrent way (with a core module). I appriciate the excellent advice.
Answer:
No problem. I program in Cold Fusion with SQL and Oracle backends and sometimes use VB compiled into DLLs to accomplish application hooks.
The next time you use your RealPlayer you'll be making me a few bucks I designed the backend piece and the server farm configuration schema that takes your IP and url or music request, finds it on the farm, moves it to the nearest server to your location and then records this for anyone else at a later date so the download is faster.
I also have a small little program that runs the house electric, music, 12 tv screens and reprograms my security key card each and every day.
And I'm supposed to be retired
Answer:
impressive!