“Inventions Assignment Agreement” can cover independent contractors or employees. It requires such workers to assign any intellectual property (IP) rights arising from their services to the company. Depending on how broadly it is written, it may cover any IP the worker creates even “after hours” if it relates to the work performed for a company.

Such provisions often are in a Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement (CIIAA) that is separate from an offer letter or employment agreement. Independent contractors may see these provisions in their independent contractor agreement. Founders may see these provisions in both an initial intellectual property assignment agreement signed at the time their company is formed as well as in a CIIAA.