from the gist of this it will be tougher to steal some one elses invention. If that happens they the thieves brought it upon themselves. Yes this will prevent the free flow of information, but those companies that used the NDA's to facilitate their effort to steal will be inhibited. It will cause companies to come to the table and deal with the inventor. What is also needed is also is heavy fines to go along with those that will continue to circumvent the system. So far most are concerned about the flow of information and to hell with the inventor. I think the reverse will take place. If the inventor is protected the flow will increase. What is costly is litergationj. Most inventors are prevented from that because they don't have the funds to go after the giants that take what dn't belong to them. EDIG knows that don't we. JMO Ted