The Cult of the NDA

Anonymous Coward writes "After looking at hundreds of business plans during the tech boom of the late 1990's, and starting my own company two years ago, I've long been bothered by the near obsession with secrecy shown by many tech startups. This is especially striking considering how few startups are actually pursuing unique ideas. I finally wrote an article about this, The Cult of the NDA, where I argue that too much secrecy can actually hurt a company's chances. Open-source startups, anyone?"

Comments

I'd really like to discuss this story

[Anonymous Coward]

But I signed an NDA saying I wouldn't. Sorry.

Re:I'd really like to discuss this story

[Anonymous Coward]

Damn you Johnson! I always knew you couldn't keep your mouth shut.

Lets be dignified about this - no histrionics, please. When Ash from security gets here, you'll go directly to clear your desk, hand over your cardkey and leave the building.

You won't speak to anyone else - keep it under your hat and we'll see about letting you stay on major medical until you find something else.

Oh shit! Here - have a tissue. Sip this water. Don't - see, now you're choking!

Ash! Thank God! Get him off my leg before he smears any more snot into my best Pierre Cardin!

started company 'tow' years ago?

[civilengineer]

if your company makes spellchecking and grammar software, send me a copy. I can use it for posting on /.

The first rule of our business plan

[Anonymous Coward]

You don't talk about our business plan!
The second rule of our business plan...

The first rule....

[mrpuffypants]

The first rule of NDA Cult is - you do not talk about NDA Cult.

The second rule of NDA Cult is - you DO NOT talk about NDA Cult.

Third rule of NDA Cult, someone yells "Stop!", gets an attorney, or finds shredded documents then deny all knowledge.

Fourth rule, only two guys to a fight(When beans are spilled).

Fifth rule, as many NDA's at a time, fellas.

Sixth rule, no wires, no cell phones.

Seventh rule, NDAs will go on as long as they have to.

And the eighth and final rule, if this is your first night at NDA Club, you have to shut up about what you see.

Re:But...

[jmauro]

It won't happen, because VC's usually will request 75-100%.

Byline

[Ray Radlein]

I was just amused to see this paean to openness being credited to "Anonymous Coward."

Re:Open source startups? How about yours?

[Kenja]

Geek to VC: We gots a great biz plan. We're going to spend your money devloping a product that will be downloadable for free!
VC: SECURITY!!!!!

Let me spell it out....

[Sponge Bath]

COOTYS RAT SEMEN... err, no. Make that:
TOO MANY SECRETS!

New paradigm?

[Gunfighter]

So does this change the...

1. [Insert crazy idea or technology here]
2. ??????
3. Profit!!

business model to...

1. NDA
2. [Insert crazy idea or technology here]
3. ??????
4. Profit!!

???

-- Gun

Sign my NDA...

[john_smith_45678]

Then I'll direct you to a URL with my comments on this article.

Warren McCulloch knew...

[neveu]

Larry Stark, a professor at Berkeley, tells the story of sitting around with a group of other researchers including Warren McCulloch (of the McCulloch-Pitts neural net model), who was expounding on his current research ideas. At one point Larry broke in and asked "Warren, why are you telling us all your ideas? Aren't you afraid someone will steal them?" to which McCulloch snorted "Steal them?! I can't force them on my own graduate students!"

Re:NDAs are a necessary evil to some environments

[Anthracks]

People are not exactly stupid

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