Can I Be Fired For Refusing To File a Patent?

Posted by kdawson on Saturday August 16, 2008 @08:02PM from the if-you-don't-cooperate-your-replacement-will dept.

An anonymous reader writes "I am a developer for a medium-sized private technology company getting ready for an IPO. My manager woke up one morning and decided to patent some stuff I did recently. The problem is, I'm strongly opposed to software patents, believing that they are stifling innovation and dragging the technology industry down (see all the frivolous lawsuits reported here on Slashdot!). Now, my concern is: what kind of consequences could I bring on myself for refusing to support the patent process? Has anybody been in a similar position and what was the outcome?"

2 of 617 comments (clear)

Patent something else first by illama · 2008-08-16 20:08 · Score: 5, Funny

Just patent the process of firing someone for refusing to file a patent.

Then they'll have to license the technology to be able to use it against you.

Frivolous patents are evil.
Re:Firing -- religious objection by Alain+Williams · 2008-08-16 20:55 · Score: 4, Funny

IANAL, but I'm pretty sure there's only a small set of things you can't be fired for in the US, like race, and anything else is legal.
You can't be fired for religious belief. Join the church of GNU. it already has a saint