Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!mcnc!rti!mozart!britten.unx.sas.com!jcz
From: jcz@britten.unx.sas.com (John Carl Zeigler)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.next
Subject: Re: Rumor problems...
Keywords: rumors announcement nextstep
Message-ID: <1990Aug27.142021.23550@unx.sas.com>
Date: 27 Aug 90 14:20:21 GMT
References: <1990Aug19.190303.23788@portia.Stanford.EDU>
Sender: news@unx.sas.com (Noter of Newsworthy Events)
Organization: SAS Institute Inc.
Lines: 30


I may have some insight to non-disclosure that
will help clear up the confusion.

Every non-disclosure agreement I have ever signed
specifically excluded information I already had,
or had subsequently through other, legitimate means.

This includes trade press, other conversations, etc.

However, to say "I read this in ComputerWorld, and I 
have been non-disclosed on this topic, and they're
right." is at the least a violation of the spirit of
a non-disclosure because you are confirming a report
or other information with information only you have:
your personal witness.   This is what the agreement
was meant to cover.    You should just cite the legitimate
source and leave it at that.    If you are itching
to tell the world something you are "in the know" on,
then you shouldn't be given non-disclosure offers.

If you just simply can't stand seeing people speculate
about something you know quite well, calm down.
All information ages rapidly, and the news will come out
eventually.   Spend the time developing the legitimate
purposes for being non-disclosed in the first place.

--
John Carl Zeigler            SAS Institute Inc.                (919) 677-8000
Manager, UNIX Host R&D       PoB 8000, Cary, NC 27512         jcz@unx.sas.com