If I write a novel while working at a high school, can a district take credit for the novel?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
If I write a novel while working at a high school, can a district take credit for the novel?
I was having a conversation with another teacher and she said that if a teacher writes a book or discovers something, that the school district can take credit from the novel or discovery is this true?
Asked on October 14, 2019 under Employment Labor Law, Nevada
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 5 years ago | Contributor
If there is no contract setting out what happens in this case, then the school district would only be entilted to any "credit" or compensation if you did the work 1) during school hours; and/or 2) using school resources, including their computer, server/system, etc. To oversimplify a complicated topic, you can't use your employer's resources or do your own work when you are being paid by them (i.e. during work hours) without them thereby obtaining some rights to or interest in what you did.
But if the novel was done on your own time, using your own resources--then no, the district has no rights to it, unless you'd signed a written contract giving them rights in this situation.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.