Feda /dev/

"Nvidia-NDA as a muzzle for journalists
Nvidia requires the signing of a very extensive confidentiality agreement before submitting information on future products.

There is an issue that journalists seldom talk about - the so-called Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). Especially in technical journalism NDAs are quite common and useful - for example, to gain access to early test copies. This allows journalists to take measurements in peace before the market launch and to get a sound idea of ​​the new product. Many companies only issue pre-trial copies if the journalist has approved an NDA or at least a blocking period.
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Heise scrutinizes every NDA and only agrees when it comes to a specific product, a clear and not too far-away expiration date is specified and the text of the contract contains no passages that could affect our journalistic work.
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Nvidia NDA (Picture: heise online)

However, some companies also use NDAs as weapons. Not only do they want to get journalists to stick to release dates, but they also want to enforce cheap reporting with far-reaching agreements and horrendous penalties. Those who do not bend are cut off from the flow of information.
Attack on the journalistic work

Sometimes companies clearly cross borders. On 20 June, for example, Nvidia USA sent a large number of journalists - including us - a request to sign a very extensive confidentiality agreement "by 22.6.2018 at the latest".

The NDA should apply to all information provided by Nvidia, so it did not refer to a specific product or information. There was also no concrete expiration date. It was also full of conditions that ran counter to journalistic principles. Our legal department clapped their hands over their heads as they read the document.

Thus it is translated (in German translated): "the receiver uses confidential information exclusively in favor of Nvidia". In other words, journalists are allowed to write only what fits Nvidia in the junk. In doing so, Nvidia downgrades the independent press into a marketing tool.

And further on, "Notwithstanding the expiration of this Agreement, the recipient's obligations with respect to any Confidential Information will expire five years after the date of their disclosure to the recipient." Anyone who signs this Nvidia NDA has to bow to the will of the American manufacturer for five years - if something is released without permission during this time, the plea is threatened.

But Nvidia goes further: "The protection of information, which is a trade secret, never goes out." In other words, if Nvidia thinks that information is a trade secret, then in the worst case, the journalist is never allowed to talk about it.
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We do not sign

It goes without saying that an independent media company can under no circumstances sign such an agreement. Nevertheless, Nvidia let us know that "many journalists" have already signed the agreement. No wonder, in the future only journalists should receive advance information and pre-test copies, which sign this NDA.

We make it clear: This and similar held NDAs are not signed by Heise online and c't - no matter which company they come from. Rather, our journalistic principles dictate that we create transparency and publish Nvidia's NDAs here in the original."
https://www.heise.de/newsticker/meld...n-4091751.html