Company Laptop, My Data — Can They Co-exist? 395
An anonymous reader writes "I recently replaced my old laptop. The owner of my company heard about this and offered to reimburse me for it, since he knows I have and will continue to do company work on my own hardware. I'd like the extra $1,250, but I think if I accept his offer that legally he has the right to any data on it (personal emails, files, blog posts, etc.). Even if I decide to put my personal stuff on a second drive, I'm worried that using company property to save and write to separate storage still gives them the right to it. The apps (Office, etc.) are my own licenses. We do not have a policy that intellectual property developed using company assets belongs to the company. But, if I figured out the One Great Internet Business Idea or write the Great American Novel and used the company laptop to do it, it's an avenue they could use to claim they own it. Unlikely, but scary. How many Slashdotters have been in this situation, and what agreement did you and your management come up with?"
Don't *put* your data on it. (Score:3, Funny)
Use online web stuff.
Re:slashdot is not your lawyer (Score:5, Funny)
Please mod this up. Asking legal questions on an Slashdot forum is like asking 4chan for relationship advice.
Tagtypo (Score:1, Funny)
a laywer will help him, but the problem will be to find somone with this profession.
Re:slashdot is not your lawyer (Score:5, Funny)
Funny, I see asking 4chan for relationship advice as more of a "What should I know before talking to a lawyer?" type of question.
Re:Don't *put* your data on it. (Score:4, Funny)
Right! Don't give your data to your company, give it to google! :-)
Re:Don't *put* your data on it. (Score:4, Funny)
Right! But keep the cache around for your company!
Re:slashdot is not your lawyer (Score:4, Funny)
It can work. TubGirl and I have been together for three years now. Sure, we've got to replace our linens more often than your average couple, but what relationship is without its problems? Overall it's going better than I could have hoped!
Re:Don't *put* your data on it. (Score:5, Funny)
My company IS Google, you inconsiderate clod!
Reading Slashdot is, uh.. my 20% time.