Not really related, but HACK_€tr's comment re: IP reminded me of something funny. I was browsing newgroups the other day and came across two programmers describing the merits of their respective "inventions." Both had patents, but of course, neither was willing to back up their claims with actual code for fear of giving the other an edge. At one point, one programmer noted sending a university research group a patent violation warning. Now, in the scientific community, if two groups happen upon the same results independently, they share in the discovery. As with any endeavor involving human beings, there's a fair amount of competition, scooping, etc., but in general, they allow their work to be used for the greater good. (That doesn't apply, of course, to research performed on behalf of governments or companies under a contract of secrecy of some sort.)
My primary point here is that no self-respecting scientist accepts a claim without empirical evidence to back it up. In industry, however, not only is empirical evidence hard to come by, it's often protected by non-disclosure agreements, trade secrets laws, and genetically enhanced ninja monkeys. Regardless, we as consumers are expected to accept claims at face value and often have no recourse if the claims turn out to be false.
And to keep this on topic, only time will tell whose monkeys have the stronger kung fu.
