Re: Can employers forbid you from talking about IETF activities?

[Bob Braden]

  *> 
  *> From:  [EMAIL PROTECTED]
  *> Message-Id:  <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
  *> To:  [EMAIL PROTECTED]
  *> Date:  Wed, 30 May 2001 08:20:26 -0400
  *> 
  *> >I write about IETF-related topics for a number of publications and websites. 
  *> >Most IETF participants are incredibly helpful and responsive when I ask them 
  *> >questions about the work they are doing, particularly authors of RFCs and I-Ds.
  *> >
  *> >However, there are (infrequent) exceptions, usually employees of large 
  *> >companies who believe that their contracts forbid them from speaking to the 
  *> >press, under any circumstances. These folks usually say something like, "My 
  *> >company won't allow me to say anything about the RFC I wrote" and refer me to 
  *> >their public relations staff.

Sounds to me like a GREAT way to get rid of annoying press members, who
take your time, don't listen, and then write articles that are
deliberately sensationalistic (which they think sells mags) and short
on facts.  I can understand using the "company" as a convenient way
to avoid this unpleasantness.

Bob Braden