VHDL/Software copyright questions

[Bob]

Hi,

I have a couple of questions, I need cleared up, so perhaps you can
help.

Say I am contracted to design an FPGA or ASIC, or indeed write some
e.g. 'C' code for another company. When finished, I supply the device
netlist/programming file to the company, who pay me for my work.

Q1...Who owns the source VHDL or in the case of software the source C
code?

Q2...Do I have any claims over the copyright in the case of source?

Q3...If I develop some innovative hardware in the VHDL, who is the
owner...company or me ?

Some of these question may ask the same question, but I would like to
clear them up.

Many thanks
Robert

 

[Mike Treseler]

Say I am contracted to design an FPGA or ASIC, or indeed write some
e.g. 'C' code for another company. When finished, I supply the device
netlist/programming file to the company, who pay me for my work.
Q1...Who owns the source VHDL or in the case of software the source C
code?
Q2...Do I have any claims over the copyright in the case of source?
Q3...If I develop some innovative hardware in the VHDL, who is the
owner...company or me ?

Whatever it says in the contract.
If it's not in the contract, it's debatable.

-- Mike Treseler

 

[Bob]

Hi Mike,

For this current work....no contract(but I have been paid on
everything so far so I'm not concerned about money), but in previous
developments, contracts haven't mentioned anything.

I just thought there might be a general rule of thumb for these
situations.

Kind Regards
Bob

 

[Thomas Stanka]

For this current work....no contract(but I have been paid on
everything so far so I'm not concerned about money), but in previous
developments, contracts haven't mentioned anything.

I just thought there might be a general rule of thumb for these
situations.

Each country has some laws defining rules for copyright in the
described situations. There is no general rule applying for all
countrys or contracts.
It might be a difference wheter you are paid for doing a job
(regardless of result) or paid for delivering a device (regardless of
used resources).

bye Thomas

 

[Bob]

Hi Thomas,

I'm based in UK.

Bob

Each country has some laws defining rules for copyright in the
described situations. There is no general rule applying for all
countrys or contracts.
It might be a difference wheter you are paid for doing a job
(regardless of result) or paid for delivering a device (regardless of
used resources).

bye Thomas