Heise: NVIDIA’s new NDA attacks journalistic work

[Det0x]

Here we go again after the GPP fiasco..

Quote from Videocardz:

NVIDIA only gave 2 days to journalists to sign new NDA. The document describes how confidential information should be used by journalists and other parties. The German website Heise.de, claims that the new document attacks journalistic principles. In fact, their legal team ‘has clapped their hands over their heads as they read the document’.

The new NDA does not refer to any particular product, such as upcoming GeForce. It does, however, outline how new products or events should be reported — and here’s the real problem.

NVIDIA’s new NDA basically says that any confidential information provided to the party must be used ‘solely for the benefit of NVIDIA‘. This could be understood in many ways, but for a journalist sharing confidential information does not always mean reporting in favor of the new product, sometimes it is the opposite. So does criticism brake new NDA? Heise.de is worried this could prevent journalists from writing whatever they want.

Furthermore, new NDA also imposes 5-year expiration on confidential information. Journalists from Heise are concerned this could keep their mouth shut for 5 years should they decide to sign it.

NVIDIA’s new NDA also mentions trade secrets, which are never to be talked about. This could theoretically prevent a journalist from sharing confidential information gathered from other sources. Especially when the same documents prevents journalists from posting ‘hypothesis’ or ‘predictions’ based on confidential information.

The Heise.de team has decided not to sign the document. This will prevent them from obtaining samples for future products.

This NDA has been confirmed as very real and out with other tech sites.

https://videocardz.com/76645/nvidias-new-non-disclosure-agreement-leaked

https://www.hardocp.com/news/2018/06/25/nvidia_looks_to_gag_journalists_multiyear_blanket_ndas

https://www.heise.de/newsticker/mel...A-als-Maulkorb-fuer-Journalisten-4091751.html

 

[Det0x]

 

[sandorski]

First day reviews are now, Fake News.

 

[jackstar7]

This seems like a PR misstep.

 

[coercitiv]

This seems like a PR misstep.

"Misstep" would be an euphemism in this case.

 

[jackstar7]

"Misstep" would be an euphemism in this case.

I expect certain people to come along and tell us the benefits of this NDA.

 

[Cozarkian]

<expletive deleted> I have the Nvidia Shield, so I wanted to stick with a Nvidia GPU, but they just keep showing their hand as dirty cheats.

Hopefully, journalist will band together and make Nvidia back down.

 

[whm1974]

I've been using Nvidia's GPUs since 2000 and while I never had a problem with their products, I'm now looking at AMD's future GPUs for my next video card due to crap like this and other factors.

 

[linkgoron]

This NDA is disgusting, but Nvidia are so much better than AMD that I don't really see how this bad press will affect them. Let's face it, people will say that they won't buy the next cards - but sure enough once the 1180 releases, they'll buy them anyway. AMD has nothing to offer to people who want to upgrade from a 1080/70/ti.

Given the above, I don't really see the point of this NDA. Nvidia are a clear leader in every aspect, AMD looks hopeless, and this only causes bad press. Clearly someone is paranoid at Nvidia.

 

[amenx]

Hopefully, journalist will band together and make Nvidia back down.

Have a feeling the same jerk(s) involved with GPP are behind this. Some not so bright exec at Nvidia doesnt seem to realize this can backfire against them and make them look horrible in the same way GPP did. Lets see how long Nvidia take to scrap this stupid NDA when the realize its just as stupid as GPP. I think senior management at NV need to weed out their ranks of the incompetents that may be behind this.

 

[SPBHM]

this is why Intel making GPUs is a good thing, more competition is needed,

 

[zinfamous]

This NDA is disgusting, but Nvidia are so much better than AMD that I don't really see how this bad press will affect them. Let's face it, people will say that they won't buy the next cards - but sure enough once the 1180 releases, they'll buy them anyway. AMD has nothing to offer to people who want to upgrade from a 1080/70/ti.

Given the above, I don't really see the point of this NDA. Nvidia are a clear leader in every aspect, AMD looks hopeless, and this only causes bad press. Clearly someone is paranoid at Nvidia.

probably.

But this thing follows on the heals of "no new generation cards for a long time." ....whatever that means. Forcing journalists to say only positive things, locking them down for 5 years--that really is crazy, considering that would be what, 3-4 generations worth of cards?--wonder if something is rotten in Denmark and they are just trying to get ahead of the game and silence all criticism and dissent now?

sounds weird. Or it's just normal shadiness from these folks. I mean, I will say I won't buy an Nvidia card, and I actually won't.

 

[Guru]

WOW, the GTX 970 3.5GB fiasco, then the GTX 1060 3gb having 10% cores cut, but still being called 1060, then the introduction of telemetry in their drivers, then the GT 1030 getting a new ddr4 version at the same name and marketing, then GPP, then the forced telemetry that you can't even disable and have to use mods and 3rd party apps now and now this!

I'm never ever buying Nvidia ever again as long as AMD have good cards, not even equal, just don't be as bad as the Vega ones. RX 580/570 were and are still great, its just that mining screwed up the pricing so much. But release a RX 580 for the high end basically.

 

[BFG10K]

The simplest solution is for nobody to sign this, and for all reviewers to completely stop reviewing nVidia products. This'll cause nVidia to run away with their tail between their legs.

 

[nitromullet]

The simplest solution is for nobody to sign this, and for all reviewers to completely stop reviewing nVidia products. This'll cause nVidia to run away with their tail between their legs.

Of course, you're right, but do you think they will? It's really an all or nothing situation. If some "reviewers" sign and get access to the review samples while others don't, not only would they have the advantage of getting review cards, but they would also have less competition. You can't expect non-enthusiasts to know not to support these reviewers.

 

[jackstar7]

Heh. If a site stripped off all branding and just reviewed Card X and gave no clear publicity (even in the article tags) for the company producing said card... that would be pretty terrific to see/read.

 

[coercitiv]

I expect certain people to come along and tell us the benefits of this NDA.

Oh, that's darn easy to come up with:

This NDA was conceived with the intent of allowing the press to have unprecedented access to information about upcoming NVIDIA products and technologies, not only for the next gen but for future products as well. The amount of shared information would have dwarfed the small inconvenience of having to sign a 5 year NDA, and the part about using confidential info solely for the benefit of NVDIA was grossly misinterpreted as it was clearly meant to protect the brand from slandering opinion pieces. Basically you give up rumor based error prone news in exchange for fact based reporting directly from the source.

 

[PingSpike]

Heh. If a site stripped off all branding and just reviewed Card X and gave no clear publicity (even in the article tags) for the company producing said card... that would be pretty terrific to see/read.

Basically what everyone has to do when comparing to Oracle databases.

 

[crisium]

Save us Intel, you're our only hope.

Not that we forgive your transgressions either, but two mega corps fighting it out competitively is what we need. And AMD can only compete so much anymore.

 

[krumme]

Oh, that's darn easy to come up with:

And what exactly is the purpose of presenting journalists with a 3 year roadmap when they can not write about it? Or write anything objective at all?

Nv is just preparing for no progress in perf/$ and would not like people to write about it.

 

[amenx]

Techpowerup and Guru3d signed. Their views on the matter:

https://www.techpowerup.com/245507/revised-nvidia-reviewers-nda-raises-eyebrows-our-thoughts
http://www.guru3d.com/news_story/new_nvidia_press_embargo_stirs_things_up.html

 

[jackstar7]

Their justifications are not encouraging.

 

[amenx]

Hilbert of Guru3d doesn think it will affect anything on a practical basis. And that if he finds he is unable to do his work properly, he can just end the agreement at any time. He is going on the basis that he will continue to do as before. Having heard his views, I think he is reserving judgment until he finds an actual impediment in the course of his work. Personally I dont like how the agreement is drawn up. But also think Nvidia can really screw themselves if they try to suppress inconvenient info (that is not to the 'benefit of Nvidia') about their products. In the real world, suppressing info does not work. Lets see how things shake out in a year from now.

 

[Rifter]

Techpowerup and Guru3d signed. Their views on the matter:

https://www.techpowerup.com/245507/revised-nvidia-reviewers-nda-raises-eyebrows-our-thoughts
http://www.guru3d.com/news_story/new_nvidia_press_embargo_stirs_things_up.html

So they sold out, time to cross them off my objective reviewers list.

 

[bystander36]

I frankly don't see what was written that is shady. They aren't allowed to reveal confidential info, how is that anything new. It's just there to protect their trade secrets. I also don't see where it was written that reviews must be favorable.

The only ones getting riled up about this are likely the ones who have a grudge against Nvidia as a rule of thumb. At least in regards to this particular article.