New York’s Labor Law was amended ensuring that employees are not obligated to assign their invention rights to their employers if they have developed these innovations on their own time and without using employer resources. Exceptions apply when the inventions are directly related to the employer's business or research and development efforts.
Notably, any employment agreement provision attempting to mandate assignment of such excluded inventions is now deemed unenforceable in New York state due to public policy considerations. This important legal update takes effect immediately, heralding a new era in intellectual property rights for employees.
If you are an employer or employee that is considering protecting your intellectual property, the attorneys at Outside Legal Counsel can help. Reach out to us for a consultation.
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