Ask HN: Conflict of interest?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1845736

by captaincrunch • 16 years ago

6 10 16 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

My company is shopping around for a software package. They've had a hard time finding what they want, in fact they've turned down a few packages, for various reasons.

Would it be a conflict of interest by making what they want and trying to sell it to them? I have a good idea of their budget.

if it's not a conflict, how should I approach my employer?

brudgers• 16 years ago

Since there is no product you can sell them, there is no conflict right now. Particularly if you are not involved in the selection processes.

If and how you pitch it depends on the corporate culture, your relationships to the decision makers, and the amount of money involved. Keep in mind that they could make writing the software part of your job requirements.

As an aside, I don't recommend doing work on spec for a single client.

eof• 16 years ago

That's an odd arrangement but I doubt illegal. Since you have to sell it to them anyway it seems really unlikely you are going to get in any contractual trouble.

noodle• 16 years ago

conflict of interest, no.

but they might not be agreeable to it, depending on how their HR department is and what your employee contract looks like. they may say "oh, you can build it? well build it for us and we'll just keep paying your salary"

gshannon2• 16 years ago

Chances are, your contract probably stipulates that any work or ideas you come up with whilst being an employee are their property. If that's the case, ask your friend or a family member to approach them for you.

singer3• 16 years ago

At most companies, that doesn't count for the things you do outside of work.

ScottWhigham2• 16 years ago

True but, as you said, that's "most companies" and not "all companies"

gshannon2• 16 years ago

I must be unlucky then, out of three dotcoms all but one had full rights to any IP I came up with whilst an employee.

Ask HN: Conflict of interest?

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