<html><body><div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12pt"><div style="RIGHT: auto"><SPAN style="RIGHT: auto">I don't have a major problem with NDAs. However, like Christian said, read it before signing it. I often find there is more than non-disclosure in there.</SPAN></div>
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<div style="RIGHT: auto"><SPAN style="RIGHT: auto">Intellectual Property (IP) clauses are a different story, though. In general I will strike those out entirely. They make no sense at all in an open source project. The company's rights are fully protected under [properly worded] non-disclosure. For example, every IP clause I have ever seen says that the instant Drupal is installed, they own it. I don't have that authority. What is developed specifically for them is theirs, but nothing else. And, if having done that, some of the techniques are useful for a later client, I still have the right to use them, as long as the first company's non-disclosure is honored. I am coding, not inventing light bulbs.<VAR id=yui-ie-cursor></VAR></SPAN></div>
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<div style="RIGHT: auto"><FONT color=#ff007f size=4 face="bookman old style, new york, times, serif"><I><STRONG>Nancy</STRONG></I></FONT></div>
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<div style="RIGHT: auto"><FONT style="RIGHT: auto" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. -- Dr. Martin L. King, Jr.</FONT></div>
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<DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">From:</SPAN></B> Dave Hall</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></FONT><BR style="RIGHT: auto">insert IANAL, OMGWTFBBQ and all the TLAs you can think of here<BR><BR>Years ago I used to sign NDAs and far worse up front for projects. <BR>These days I adopt a you show me yours before I show you mine approach. <BR>I am happy to discuss NDAs, IP, rates and everything else at the same <BR>time. Without seen a spec or existing code I can't quote.<BR><BR>At the same time if MegaCorp International Inc contacted me and asked me <BR>to sign an NDA before discussing a new project, I would consider it. If <BR>some random guy was offering me equity in his new venture and he wanted <BR>to tell me all about it, but I had to sign an NDA first, I'd be unlikely <BR>to consider replying to his email.<BR><BR>It is a similar story when it comes to IP. If MCII wanted to own the <BR>code, but give me a license to use what I
produced as I saw fit with an <BR>explicit approval to release it as open source I would consider it. If <BR>someone wanted to own everything including my first born, then I'd walk.</DIV></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></div></div></body></html>