As you picked up on it, please help me out here,

"have you ever considered that brian signed an nda and his communication with the shareholder may have been restricted?"

Are there different types of NDAs? One which restricts communications, and another which permits full communications?

How strange would it be then for those who accept that an NDA "restricts communications" to demand that others covered by NDAs should be making full disclosure?

Any observations that you have would be much appreciated.

Be well