At 10:58 30/01/98 -0600, you wrote:
>I have a related question.  As a developer, I come up with lots of
>ideas.  That's what I get paid for.  My employers do not use every idea
>I generate.  They can't.  But if I offer them an idea in good faith, go
>through the standard process of submitting it for consideration, and it
>isn't used, can I then offer it to another institution (as a freelancer,
>on my next job, whatever)?
>
>Bearing in mind that no one can copyright an idea, only the expression
>of it.
>

The pat answer would be: it depends whether the first recipient/non-user of
your idea is inclined to object.  Since it is your employer, any
copyrightable (tangible) expression of an idea you may have created in the
course of your employment would be considered to be the employer's.  The
employer could, of course, release/give permission for you to take the idea
elsewhere, having had first refusal.  If it was an idea orally suggested in
a meeting, not written down, then my guess would be that it remains in the
realm of pure ideas.  Actually, the "danger" here is that someone else will
remember & use your idea.. Submission of ideas can actually be "protected"
by a letter of understanding accompanying the submission; but this is
usually used by freelancers vis a vis clients, not by employees.  It's
perfectly possible that your employer has an employee policy covering this
sort of thing.


amalyah keshet
head of visual resources, the israel museum, jerusalem
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