For all you software engineers...

[jlazzaro]

Im currently developing some software, we already have it implimented where i work, but I am making it so it can be used anywhere with a lot more customized options. It is network notification software to be used with HP Openview (openview has like 90% of the network management market). My question is, are there companies/services that buy software? Or that will market it for you? Any personal experiences?

 

[amol]

Software forum is

<=== thataway

 

[Sunbird]

Yarrr, shiver me timbers, but what is this buying thing your talking about?

 

[SaturnX]

Be sure to check the contract for your place of employment.. if you developed it for the company, then chances are, it is now the intellectual property of the company, and NOT yours. Unless you were contracted out to develop this software, I can almost guarantee it belongs to them. So I'd recommend check that out first before you go and try to market it.

--Mark

 

[yllus]

The companies that will market software for you are called, well, marketing companies. With the recent downturn in fortunes in the high-tech industry, I'm sure there are a lot of small marketing agencies with big-biz experience that can help you out.

Personally, I'd consider a booth at an industry trade show. Talk to a marketing agency (free consultation) about booth design and all that. It'll be semi-expensive, but if you believe in your product it can do great things for you.

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: SaturnX
Be sure to check the contract for your place of employment.. if you developed it for the company, then chances are, it is now the intellectual property of the company, and NOT yours. Unless you were contracted out to develop this software, I can almost guarantee it belongs to them. So I'd recommend check that out first before you go and try to market it.

--Mark

Agreed. If you developed it for their use while you were employed there, it probably belongs to them.

 

[BCYL]

Anything you developed on company time when you worked at the company, it belongs to the company... can't market it for yourself

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: BCYL
Anything you developed on company time when you worked at the company, it belongs to the company... can't market it for yourself

It's worse than that, in many contracts even if you develop something at home in your spare time, the company can still claim ownership.

 

[Snapster]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons

Originally posted by: BCYL
Anything you developed on company time when you worked at the company, it belongs to the company... can't market it for yourself

It's worse than that, in many contracts even if you develop something at home in your spare time, the company can still claim ownership.

Thankfully I don't have one of those.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons

Originally posted by: BCYL
Anything you developed on company time when you worked at the company, it belongs to the company... can't market it for yourself

It's worse than that, in many contracts even if you develop something at home in your spare time, the company can still claim ownership.

If related to your work and/or information provide by your employer, yes.

If not tied to you work for an employer, no.

That fine line has been tried by employers and they lost.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons

Originally posted by: BCYL
Anything you developed on company time when you worked at the company, it belongs to the company... can't market it for yourself

It's worse than that, in many contracts even if you develop something at home in your spare time, the company can still claim ownership.

If related to your work and/or information provide by your employer, yes.

If not tied to you work for an employer, no.

That fine line has been tried by employers and they lost.

Agreed, though you might also be on shaky ground if you used a laptop provided by work, and/or development tools owned by work instead of purchased yourself.

 

[Unheard]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons

Originally posted by: BCYL
Anything you developed on company time when you worked at the company, it belongs to the company... can't market it for yourself

It's worse than that, in many contracts even if you develop something at home in your spare time, the company can still claim ownership.

Ya luckily in my non-comp anything I develop not on company time is mine. But everything else belongs to them.

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: Amol
Software forum is

<=== thataway

:laugh:

 

[ArmchairAthlete]

Originally posted by: SaturnX
Be sure to check the contract for your place of employment.. if you developed it for the company, then chances are, it is now the intellectual property of the company, and NOT yours. Unless you were contracted out to develop this software, I can almost guarantee it belongs to them. So I'd recommend check that out first before you go and try to market it.

--Mark

Yea, I'm starting a coop job and was just filling out some paperwork... this and more was made pretty clear. Other stuff included the fact that I can't work for one of their competitors 18 months after leaving, or try to take their customers or try to get other people to leave with me.

They want their money's worth out of ya.

 

[jlazzaro]

i understand what you guys are saying, and yes that did cross my mind. However, it has to change so drastically to be able to market, not a single line of code is being used from the previous program...only the concept (which i dont think they can take credit for). Any more suggestions about marketing?

 

[tami]

your best bet would be to give the software out to get people who support it and "swear by it", and then sell it.

also, use a pen name. if your company found out, you may be in big trouble for "stealing the concept" (in their eyes) regardless.