enter the realm of absurd (Score 1)

Well, here's my story. For two years, we've been developing a LGPL, GPL and GFDL product. I've been participating for about one year. Recently a start-up posted to our mailing list and stated, we're interested in paying the core developer team to work full-time on product X. OK, this is our product, we developed it and it's OS. I moved to a foreign country and was then confronted with non-competition and non-disclosure agreements in the contract. I have refused to sign. Unfortunately, I'm still here only because I'm the only person who's willing to do the specific job that I contribute to the project. If someone else was interested or willing, I'm sure I'd be singing the Star Spangled Banner right now. These companies think they've got great ideas. Well, I think an idea is a hill of turds and when you start legally protecting the hill of turds you enter into a realm of abturdity. If ideas are so valuable, I'll take a snapshot of my bathroom wall and put it up for bid. I haven't met anyone that's got more or less ideas than I do . How much work are you willing to invest and in the case of an OS project, can you beat the competition out of the gate and to the finish line? That's the real challange. I've been contracted for my expertise, not so this company can enlighten me with their ideas. They haven't thought of anything unique, especially as the concept "unique" applies to this specific products usefulness. Of course I've hired a lawyer and requested legal representation from the OS community. The OS community in fact responded favorably by providing probono (sic) legal advice. One advised, sign, the other said, don't. Don't take this to mean to much because I'm not including information that lends to a properly built perspective but the OS advice was sign. In my case, signing the contract could mean that I'm one of the only people in the world who can't Freely use an OS product that I've participated in building. A question I've to ask myself is, do I want to help a company that values an idea when I think ideas are worthless? Not really; however, nobody else is putting up any money, I want to be paid, I love the product and the OS community that's involved. I could return home and resume my habit of contributing but I'm exposed to people who are more talented than me and I want to learn from them. This company is willing to invest and do work that I'm not willing or able to do. I actually like these people and this issue aside would enjoy working with them. Especially on a product that I love. I'd have a big problem signing anything just so I can be interviewed. There's lots of businesses out there who need our skills. I've found several in this country who are willing to hire me and I can't even speak the local language. If I were faced with your dilema, I'd probably decline. displaced