Would Work Own Sites?

[hist0ry]

Hello all,

A bit of a random question but I figured someone here could help.

Basically I recently got a job at a company and I help with their digital marketing and SEO. Im using a few sites of my own that I owned prior to the job for traffic and work on them at work on their property in their time as they are a key part in the companys marketing.

My question is: If I ever get sacked, quit or something else happens would I still own the sites?

I own the domains and they are my websites but are used and worked on in work time.

Assuming theres no contract stating these web properties are the companies and they are in my name are they legally mine should they take me to court for the rights?.

Personally Im of the understanding that the websites are mine as the domains are mine and I also work on these outside of work as well as in work.

I read a case though about a guy who developed a computer repair tool in his lunch breaks and now the company is taking him to court claiming its theirs as it was in their time.

Any help would be appreciated. Im in the UK by the way. A sub question is would the same apply if I bought the domains my self while I was with the company (other domains that we use).

Cheers.

 

[Beingakrant]

I think if you own the websites, then they can't claim them. Moreover, since everything is on your name, then why in the hell would they think of doing so. All they can do is, sack you, which obviously they are not doing. You can always give the reasoning that there was written agreement that the website will be of the company's if you use their resources. They always have an option to sack you but they are not doing, so it's their fault. I have seen people being sacked for doing their personal tasks using office computer. I used to also in a digital marketing company. A guy used to work on his website promotion and other activities during work hours. One fine day, when the management got to know about this, he was sacked on the spot.

Cheers

 

[ConversionKing]

I had this same experience. I build a managed a PR3 site while working at job for Reputation Management. Only difference is that I decided to quit to go solo after awhile. They asked me if I would give them the domain I created while I was there and after thinking about it for awhile I decided to turn it in in good faith. The gesture gave me such a good reputation that they asked me if I could still work for them part time, remotely (something that really helped me out). They also raised my pay to $50/hour. Moral of the story, you go beyond what is required and expected and you will most likely get rewarded at the end.

 

[hist0ry]

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I would probably give them the sites anyway it was more a case of being worried about existing sites that I own. The answers here have cleared things up a bit but im still a bit unsure what would happen in the event of being fired and ive worked on my own site to boost their sites during work time if they could lay claim.

Thanks.

 

[JimmyWong]

Personally I wouldn't give them jack shit if they were to fire you. If you purchased the domain under your own name and using your own debit card they'd have no claim whatsoever.

 

[hist0ry]

Personally I wouldn't give them jack shit if they were to fire you. If you purchased the domain under your own name and using your own debit card they'd have no claim whatsoever.

Even if I worked on it during their time with their permission to better their main website? its a 9-5 job.

 

[Oukast]

Currently I also own one of the domains I'm working on, despite not owning the actual site/hosting - but if asked, I'd transfer the domain to the people running the actual site and service. I also have few supporting blogs, and those I'm going to keep, as I've paid for them in full, and host them myself.

Sure the difference here is that the sites I've created during the time we're not required in any manner, I just wanted to put them up. But yes, the sites would be yours, but I wouldn't want to fight much over it - instead just do what ConversionKing said - give them to "the rightful owners" in case you're going to leave the project.

 

[JimmyWong]

Even if I worked on it during their time with their permission to better their main website? its a 9-5 job.

The domain is yours end of story if you purchased and registered it under your own name. (Presumably) nowhere in any contract did you state otherwise about that specific domain.

Bottom line is if they fire you, it's yours. They will go straight to the registrar under such circumstance, but chances are they will almost certainly side with the registrant.

ConversionKing's situation is different in the fact he resigned (not got fired) and wanted to keep on good terms. In business it's wise to keep on good terms as he demonstrated, but don't be afraid to say "no" if the situation requires it.

 

[Zapdos]

Even if I worked on it during their time with their permission to better their main website? its a 9-5 job.

Do you think a delivery boy will give up his car? He used it with their permission to better their business.


You bought it, you own it. Company bought it, company owns it.