View Full Version : Cunning website idea...
I've had a cunning idea for a website. At work at the moment so can't really research it but I don't think it's been done already - I believe I'd have heard of it if it had.
Now making websites is my job, but I'm paid by my boss to make websites for clients that approach us, not websites for ourselves.
I'm buggered if I'm going to code this site and let my boss take all the money if it's a success, I think what i need to do is get some legally binding contract drawn up agreeing that I get 50% of any money the website makes or something like that?
Anyone ever done anything like this? How should I proceed?
I would look into it seriously and if you think it'll work, then do it yourself outside of work time on your own machine.....then you get 100% of the money. That's what I do anyway, work day-to-day for a games company as an Interactive Designer and then work whenever I can in the evenings/weekends doin websites on a freelance basis. All the freelance work is then money in the pocket to mod the 200.... :D
TBH I don't feel I have the time, or the expertise. I'm good at what I do (ASP/SQL) but have no merchant bank account, and can't design for squat :)
gaz.thomas
13-07-2004, 16:59
Assuming that your contract doesn't contain an inclusive work-for-hire clause you'll be fine branching out on your own. In fact I'd suggest you do a PoC before approaching your boss. That way if he says - great idea - the company'll do that tomorrow and you can sing for your half you've got prior art :)
Gaz
-x-
Fair enough....but I could design it for you and you could set up an account with WorldPay for the payments... :D
If not, I would indeed consult a lawyer before you approach your boss with the idea, just to get an idea of what might be possible. Most companies do take IP of a product created by an employee so you would need to approach it carefully.
:)
YorkshireRam
13-07-2004, 17:07
to be fair, if your design skills aren't cutting it, you can buy umpteen photoshop templates for your site, some of them are bloomin good and all you need to do is hone the template to your needs and let your asp code generate the content/structure.
if you've got the backend coding skills, you're more than half way there and I would do it myself with no involvement with other parties.
no pressure or worries and any profit is yours with no legal costs etc etc..just try and keep your initial costs down.
:)
to be fair, if your design skills aren't cutting it, you can buy umpteen photoshop templates for your site, some of them are bloomin good and all you need to do is hone the template to your needs and let your asp code generate the content/structure.
if you've got the backend coding skills, you're more than half way there and I would do it myself with no involvement with other parties.
no pressure or worries and any profit is yours with no legal costs etc etc..just try and keep your initial costs down.
:)
You all make good points. The nice thing about doing this through work is it would mean I wouldn't need any upfront money for lawyers, advertising etc (I have like £500 to my name and do not want to get more in debt than I already am!)
If I convince the boss that it's a good idea then he's more than capable of spending any outlay required.
PoC? Proof of Concept at a guess. How do I go about getting one of these, is it just a case of writing it down and proving the date I wrote it, or is this something that requires spending money with lawyers etc?
Just found a site that does touch on my idea, but they have hardly exploited it at all and have many shortcomings compared to what I'm planning. Very poor competition.
Mint_Sauce
13-07-2004, 18:09
If you want some help with the design side then i'd be up for it. PM me if your interested :thumbs:
TBH I could cope with the design. The areas I see me struggling in are the legalities of it. It's nothing "dodgy" but it's certainly not as simple as selling a product. Legal stuff costs money :(
Mint_Sauce
13-07-2004, 18:17
aaah, sorry i'm reading thing wrongly :D Good luck with it! :thumbs: I know when I was working for Electronic Arts that if I was to think of a new computer game EA legally own my idea!! :(
If it's your work and you do it on your own time he can't do squat, If your aim is to get someone to foot expedature until such time as it pulls in revenue then be careful who you choose and get everything written down, I have just left a web design partnership due to problems with my business partner and have set out on my own and I thought it would never come to this 2 1/2 years ago...
Moral of my situation don't trust anyone :no:
As for legal stuff do you know anyone in these areas that would be willing to give that advice in return for a share of this venture, therefore no cost for them but there time, and no cost for you at all even if the venture fails.
I do a lot of networking and know a lot of people in various fields this is handy as you can cross services and no money is involved, have a think about who you or your family friends know. Also try business Links, Princes Trust and local business club / associations, you may again get someone interested in there too. :)
I hope I've read what you're after correctly :wack: and good luck :thumbs:
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.1.9 Copyright © 2012 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.