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. And bearing in mind that I am not referring to my current employer in this hypothetical situation.