John...

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Yeah, they were planning on making a bunch of money off my code, and paying me peanuts to modify the code.
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But it would appear that is the deal you made. My suggestion is for you to build standard language in your contracts that explicitly reserves this right to you. At least then, the bargain will be fair.

20/20 hindsight is a wonderful thing. However, among many things, our system of contractual jurisprudence is based on the fact that you cannot go back and change the rules of the game after you make the deal..

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I saw an opportunity to better my position and took it, just as they would have had they known what they were doing.
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Do you believe this to be adaquate justification? Your choice of words are interesting. You "took" the opportunity as opposed to already having the opportunity.

The other party making a bunch of money was their right as the owners of the product.

And of course, the issue boiled down to who knew what. This tells me you knew exactly what you were doing and the ramifications of the other party's lack of knowledge. In effect, you took advantage of their lack of knowledge.

This is where the ethical side of the business is supposed to kick in...

Just to clarify, you do work in the area of "law enforcement"....right?????


< JVP >