Legal Question in Intellectual Property in New Jersey
Website content ownership
While I was employed by a window treatment company as an
installer, I have developed a website about the company in my free
time after work and on the weekends. The plan was to replace the
existing webpage. There was no formal agreement between the
owner and I. After voluntarily leaving the company, I have deleted
the website. He is charging me with Grand Theft. The domain
name is registered by the company. My question is who owns the
content of the website? What rights do I have as an author?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Website content ownership
If I understand what you have presented, you have been charged with a crime. If so, get an attorney. The stakes are too high for you to be representing yourself. If you make a mistake, you go to jail.
If this was merely a civil matter, I would say that it depends on your employment contract and a few other factors, but there is a very good possibility that the material belongs to your employer. However, I repeat that this is not something that you should be handling via this service. You need a real flesh and blood lawyer. If you cannot afford one, then you can have one appointed for you by the court. Do not take this lightly.
Re: Website content ownership
Basically you have a contractual issue as to the ownership of copyrighted material. You are most likely the legal author of this material and the employer could claim it as his own if it was done within the scope of your employment, or if there was an explicit agreement.
From what you've written it's unclear. I would need more information, feel free to contact me.
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