Do I own the data on a web site ?

[mwl707]

I have designed some web based software that manages assets in our company. I have allowed this to be used but without any payment etc. My question is, if the company has entered data on my system and I withdraw the software, who owns the data that has been entered ?

thanks

[bednobs]

depending on what your contract says, you will most probably find that you do not even own the soft ware and that the intellectual property for it belongs to your company, despite the fact you designed it.

[Bambiagain]

The data will certainly belong to the company. As Bednobs says, they may well own the software as well. Even if you designed it in your own time, without payment, if it is related to your job then it is likely that the company can claim rights to it, unless your contract specifically says you are entitled to rights in work done outside company time. If you designed the software before you worked for the company, then you have a strong claim to the rights for yourself. As a general rule, you can only claim rights if you have a specific agreement with your employers, or if the work done is not related to your job. You would have to discuss this with them or consult a firm of Intellectual Property Attorneys if you feel that you should own the rights.

[scotman]

It is a bit of a grey area with most cards in the employer's favour. If your job has anything to do with software design or web site construction then forget it.
Being silly for a moment; if you are employed as a delivery driver etc. and you have done this then you might have a case.