I've long been under the impression that some of the more onerous provisions
of agreements such as "non-compete" contracts are not enforceable; your
employer can't take away your right to earn a living. Brown was indeed
foolish to fire his lawyer; I'll bet the guy could have at least gotten him a
decent compromise.
I personally believe that honesty is severely punished these days. That's
why politicians are now apt to deny first and apologize later (and only if
they are really caught with their pants down.) Likewise, if a company admits
a mistake; they will be sued, that's why they often play hardball with their
accusers. If they paid reasonable compensation voluntarily, they'd end up
being sued for millions by greedy ambulance-chasers.
Yes, Brown should have kept a log, since he got the idea before he worked for
DSC. But if I was Brown, I would have NOT have tried to sell the idea to the
company (since most suits don't understand the value of technical ideas) and
I would have NEVER, NEVER, asked for the release. I would have said I got
the idea after my employment. You don't ask for permission for something
that's yours. And if it was all in his head, Alcatel never could have proved
otherwise.
Sad, but true-- Brown's worst crime was being too honest.
Vaughn Treude
On Thursday 15 August 2002 09:18, you wrote:
> Evan Brown has an idea. He hasn't explained it to anyone,
> and hasn't put it in any tangible form yet. But Alcatel
> believes it is in his head, and they want it extracted.
>
> http://makeashorterlink.com/?K59123581
>
> "Brown was obligated to disclose the solution to Alcatel and only to
> Alcatel. In addition, Brown was ordered to pay Alcatel's legal fees,
> which exceed $330,000."
>
> Brown's legal fees? He representated himself, since it
> was an open and shut case in his favor. Fool. Doesn't
> he realize that the law isn't about such idealist notions
> as "right" and "wrong"? It's about who feeds the most
> money back into the system created by the lawyers in
> Washington and the state capitals.
>
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