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We are in stage of market validation and working with few early adopters to mature our software product that targets a niche market. Potential customers can fill out a form for a trial download and we send them the download link. Today one of the competitor, which is a large enterprise software company with too many softwares under its belt, requested a download. They have some products that kind of slightly overlap in certain areas of what we are doing.

Few possible options could be: 1. They really need the software for their own needs. 2. They might be looking at us from an acquition point of view? 3. They might use our software to get ideas to develop one in house.

Question for the community is, should I send the download link to the competitor? Why and why not? and If yes, should I include some specific wording in the email? Thanks.

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give them a call or email and talk to them – TimJ♦ Nov 18 '11 at 16:26
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I'm with Tim's comment on this. We had this happen, and you can't curl up into a defensive ball and expect competitors to simply not be able to find out what you do and how you do it. Reaching out to them with a smile and saying "hi, how can I help you" is more effective that reacting defensively. And you'll find out much more. – Nicko Nov 18 '11 at 16:40
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There are a host of possible outcomes. They might want to partner. They might want to buy your technology. They might want to send customers to you. Or they might just be trying to steal your ideas. Only one of the many possibilities is a bad thing. – TimJ♦ Nov 18 '11 at 17:17
Good question, and IMO good answers ^^. – MikeNereson Nov 18 '11 at 17:21

2 Answers

up vote 2 down vote

I would treat them just as any other customer. If they want a deal, they should ask directly for that. If they intentions are politically incorrect, like see what you have to copy ideas or to detect patent infrigement or other alike, they could use a false identity anyway.

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up vote 0 down vote
  1. Unlikely.
  2. Low probability
  3. I'd say that's it

Get some software protection put on your executable (i'd recommend ASProtect or Themida) and send it to competitor.

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