Over the last while I have noticed the increasing number of employment contracts that include clauses that more or less say that if you create,invent or improve something while you are employed by a company, its the company who is owns that item.Not you.

This point is bourne out by the fact that Mattel(www.Mattel.com) owner of the "iconic plastic blonde bombshell" Barbie (47, and looking good) is suing the lady and former employee of Mattel,who conceived the Bratz range of girls dolls, since they argue that the Bratz were conceived by Carter Bryant while she was employed as a Barbie designer, and therefore Bratz are the property of Mattel. Needless to say it has become a legal battle, (probably with Ken as chief prosecutor).

Is,nt it good that the search for innovation and new products is being wholeheartly supported by big business. It should be noted that the participants of Sky One's "The Big Idea" need not worry about being sued by former employers as most of the junk featured will never make it to commercial levels anyway.