Lets say you work at Dumb Starbucks under W2 salaried wages

Let\'s say you work at Dumb Starbucks (under W-2 salaried wages) and developed a computer controlled coffee dispensing system while there. You quit and take your program to your new company, Seattle Wurst, where they use it: You are immediately criminally liable for copyright infringement. You will go to jail. If the former employee gets the wind of things, both of you and your future employer may be liable for financial damages under a civil action for copyright infringement. If the former employer gets the wind of things, only your future employer may be liable for financial damages under a civil action for copyright infringement. Both you and your future employer may be criminally liable under a theory of patent infringement, if the computer program is covered by a patent issued to your former employer. What case that we read would apply to the scenario in question 23?

Solution

The answer should be:

h) Both you and your future employer may be criminally liable under a theory of patent infringement, if the computer program is covered by a patent issued to your former employer.