It's probably not the law (it would be shitty when working at a 7/11 on the weekends to have tolegally disclose all your other income resources)

But basic employee contracts cover these aspects, including working in the interest of the company and IP assignments, and usually exclusivity if you're full time.

These issues are old as time.

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wavemode 5 days ago | parent [-]

Yeah I'm aware employment contracts might stipulate it. But violating a contract isn't against the law. Worst case you could get sued (though with an employment contract, the limit of repercussions are generally just termination).

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makeitdouble 5 days ago | parent [-]

> violating a contract isn't against the law

Being binding is kinda of the whole purpose of a contract. If violating it is void under the law the company should change lawyers.

To put your argument under a different angle, there are many written laws you can violate with very limited consequences if any, but they are still laws.

Contracts aren't written by the country, and enforcing them is civil matter so there's nuance, but violating an enforceable contract you provably agreed to is against the law. Whether you can get away with it is another question.

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codingdave 5 days ago | parent [-]

There are two types of law. Contracts are civil law. Breaking them does not break criminal law. Civil vs. criminal law has different procedures, different burdens of proof, and different potential consequences.

When it comes to contracts, no, there are no "laws", there are agreements between parties that can be enforced if taken to court, and in that sense they are binding. But breaking them does not break any law... it just breaks an agreement.

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oasisaimlessly 5 days ago | parent | next [-]

It's not that simple.

https://www.parzfirm.com/blog/when-does-breach-of-contract-b...

> When Does a Breach Become Criminal?

> For a breach of contract to rise to the level of criminal activity, the act must involve elements of fraud, intent to deceive, or theft. These cases go beyond simple noncompliance with contractual terms—they involve behaviors that violate state or federal laws. Some scenarios where contract breaches may involve criminal activity include:

> * Fraudulent intent: If a party enters into a contract without any intention of fulfilling the terms, this may constitute fraud. For instance, accepting payment for services without any intention of delivering.

> * Pattern of deceptive behavior: When a party repeatedly breaches contracts with the intent to defraud others or engage in fraudulent schemes, it can elevate the breach to a criminal offense. A pattern of deceptive behavior indicates a systematic intent to deceive and defraud, which may result in criminal charges.

	▲	codingdave 4 days ago \| parent [-]
		> they involve behaviors that violate state or federal laws. > elevate the breach to a criminal offense. Sounds like it is that simple. If you break a criminal law, then it breaks the law. Otherwise, not.

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makeitdouble 5 days ago | parent | prev [-]

The goalpost is moving.

2 posts before:

> But violating a contract isn't against the law.

Now:

> Contracts are civil law. Breaking them does not break criminal law.