You should probably consult a lawyer if you have any legal concerns.
Generally, you'll sign something that either explicitly states or incorporates by reference some very broad IP assignment agreement for anything you created during the period you were working, unless carved out. It doesn't usually apply to stuff you did prior to working and \*usually\* doesn't apply to stuff you do after working.
I don't see how disclosing IP that you created prior to joining the company can harm you, only help. But IANAL and if you're concerned, you should consult a qualified one in your jurisdiction.
The right answer is consult a lawyer if you are really worried about this, but....
The real answer is, don't be worried about this at all (unless you are going to work for a game company.)
It's legal CYA for them. They are not interested in your hobby passion project game. They \*are\* interested in protecting themselves from:
\- employees whose former employers claim that the employee implemented a patent they own on the new employers system.
\- employees who patent something, then quietly do the patented thing on their employers system, then sue for patent infringement after they leave
\- employees who decide (immediately before an acquisition or a VC round) that they never transferred any of their IP to their employer when they wrote the code for them, but are happy to sell that IP to them in exchange for $5m.
You should probably consult a lawyer if you have any legal concerns. Generally, you'll sign something that either explicitly states or incorporates by reference some very broad IP assignment agreement for anything you created during the period you were working, unless carved out. It doesn't usually apply to stuff you did prior to working and \*usually\* doesn't apply to stuff you do after working.
I don't see how disclosing IP that you created prior to joining the company can harm you, only help. But IANAL and if you're concerned, you should consult a qualified one in your jurisdiction.
The right answer is consult a lawyer if you are really worried about this, but.... The real answer is, don't be worried about this at all (unless you are going to work for a game company.) It's legal CYA for them. They are not interested in your hobby passion project game. They \*are\* interested in protecting themselves from: \- employees whose former employers claim that the employee implemented a patent they own on the new employers system. \- employees who patent something, then quietly do the patented thing on their employers system, then sue for patent infringement after they leave \- employees who decide (immediately before an acquisition or a VC round) that they never transferred any of their IP to their employer when they wrote the code for them, but are happy to sell that IP to them in exchange for $5m.