A developer is re-using code from his old workplace
I'm a UX designer in the process of starting my company. My developer told me he is re-using code from his old employer and customizing it for our project. I told him this is likely illegal, so I won't approve of it. I requested that he check his old Intellectual Property agreements, or contact the employer for permission. He declined, and expressed concerns that I am too mistrustful to be worried about this when none of his past employers have cared. He argued it's legal and widely done, and said he won't write the code from scratch because it would be a waste of time. I can understand that this is likely often done and nobody notices. What should I say to this developer, or any other developer who proposes the same thing? To me, it's a red flag that he is pressuring me into something illegal, but to be fair to him I promised to research the topic (and this is that research). I don't want to risk penalties for this.
I'm a UX designer in the process of starting my company. My developer told me he is re-using code from his old employer and customizing it for our project. I told him this is likely illegal, so I won't approve of it. I requested that he check his old Intellectual Property agreements, or contact the employer for permission. He declined, and expressed concerns that I am too mistrustful to be worried about this when none of his past employers have cared. He argued it's legal and widely done, and said he won't write the code from scratch because it would be a waste of time.
I can understand that this is likely often done and nobody notices. What should I say to this developer, or any other developer who proposes the same thing?
To me, it's a red flag that he is pressuring me into something illegal, but to be fair to him I promised to research the topic (and this is that research). I don't want to risk penalties for this.
