You're absolutely right. There are really two questions here:
* Does my employer own this?
* Will they make me prove that in court?
The damnable thing is that, even if you really do own your work, having to prove that you own it in court may kill your startup by making you run out of money.
The other way of looking at your latter point: I try to work for people who would brag about successful former employees. Enlightened managers cultivate an "alumni network."
* Does my employer own this?
* Will they make me prove that in court?
The damnable thing is that, even if you really do own your work, having to prove that you own it in court may kill your startup by making you run out of money.