This is the November 2023 edition of our monthly series of Ethics case studies titled What Do You Think? This series is comprised of case studies from NSPE archives, involving both real and hypothetical matters submitted by engineers, public officials and members of the public.

Your peers and the NSPE Board of Ethical Review have reviewed the facts of the case as shown below. And, here are the results.

Your opinion has been registered for the November 2023 edition of our monthly series of Ethics case studies titled What Do You Think?

Your vote is recorded as:

It is ethical
Want to know how your peers voted? We’ll send you an email with the poll results on November 28.

Your opinion has been registered for the November 2023 edition of our monthly series of Ethics case studies titled What Do You Think?

Your vote is recorded as:

It is not ethical
Want to know how your peers voted? We’ll send you an email with the poll results on November 28.

A Review of the Facts

Engineer Mitch agrees to provide consulting services to RMF, Inc., in connection with the development of a new product for manufacture. He develops a preliminary report, which is approved, then develops the design for the product. Mitch and RMF, Inc., do not negotiate any terms in their agreement relating to the actual ownership of the design of the product. Neither takes any steps to seek patent protection. When the design reaches the production stage, RMF, Inc., terminates the services of Mitch in accordance with their agreement.

Thereafter, Mitch agrees to provide consulting services to SYS, Inc., a competitor of RMF, Inc. As a part of those services, he divulges specific information unique to the product designed for RMF, Inc.

What Do You Think? Was it ethical for Mitch to divulge specific information to SYS, Inc., unique to the product designed earlier by him for RMF, Inc.?

Here is the result of our survey of your peers:

The November 2023 Ethical Dilemma Results

Applicable NSPE Code References:

II.1.c
Engineers shall not reveal facts, data, or information without the prior consent of the client or employer except as authorized or required by law or this Code.

III.4
Engineers shall not disclose, without consent, confidential information concerning the business affairs or technical processes of any present or former client or employer, or public body on which they serve.

III.9.c
Engineers, before undertaking work for others in connection with which the engineer may make improvements, plans, designs, inventions, or other records that may justify copyrights or patents, should enter into a positive agreement regarding ownership.

Discussion

As with many provisions of the NSPE Code of Ethics, Code II.1.c. appears to be stated in a clear and concise way. It recognizes that the engineer has the obligation to refrain from revealing factual information obtained in a professional capacity without the permission of the client or employer except under certain specific circumstances. However, that is subject to a degree of interpretation.

From its earliest days, the Board has had to grapple with the meaning of the language contained in Code II.1.c. The Board faced Case 61-8 quite similarly to the instant one. That case involved an engineer who was employed by the ABC Company and assigned by his supervisor to develop processing equipment for the manufacture of certain chemical products. In his previous employment with the XYZ Company, the engineer had participated in the development of similar equipment. The technical information concerning the equipment had not been published in the technical press, or otherwise released. By virtue of his previous involvement in its development, the engineer was familiar with the equipment and the principles of its design. His supervisors in the ABC Company suggested that that knowledge of the particular equipment would be useful in developing similar equipment for their use and expected him to make it available to them.

In its decision on Case 61-8, the Board noted that most employers of engineers accept the obligation of permitting their engineers to decide for themselves what information they can carry and use from job to job, recognizing the ethical duty of the engineer not to disclose confidential information of a former employer. The Board concluded that inasmuch as the equipment developed for the XYZ Company had not been made known to the public or the industry, it was in the nature of a “trade secret” and the engineer who participated in its development may not ethically use or impart that particular knowledge to another employer without the consent of his former employer. He may, though, ethically apply general knowledge and general engineering principles gained in his former employment to solving the problems of ABC Company.

Although Case 61-8 is quite similar, it relates to the ethical obligation of employees, while the present case involves the ethical obligation of a consultant. However, that narrow issue is easily dispensed because all Code references pertaining to the ethical obligation of the engineer to maintain confidentiality refer to both the employer and the client. (See Code II.1.c. and Code III.4) This would clearly suggest that the drafters of the Code intended that the obligation to maintain confidentiality applies to the employed engineer as well as the consulting engineer. It is the Board’s view that consistent with Case 61-8, it would be unethical for Mitch to divulge specific information to SYS, Inc., unique to the product designed earlier by him for RMF, Inc.

It should be pointed out that if the information divulged is generally available within the industry then his conduct might be considered proper.

We note that since the rendering of Case 61-8, the NSPE Code of Ethics has been substantially modified. Of particular mention, in the context of this case, we refer to Code III.9.c., which admonishes engineers to take affirmative steps with employers or clients regarding ownership of patents or copyrights. In today’s highly mobile and competitive society, more and more employers are demanding, and employees are expecting, special terms of employment that will clearly spell out the duties and obligations of both with respect to confidentiality and rights relating to intellectual property. That approach is a positive one and will take some of the mystery out of these matters. Presumably, the ethical question raised in this case could have been more easily interpreted had Mitch and RMF, Inc., formally agreed to ownership of the design of the product.

The Ethical Review Board’s Conclusion

It is not ethical

It was unethical for Mitch to divulge specific information to SYS, Inc., unique to the product designed earlier by him for RMF, Inc.

BOARD OF ETHICAL REVIEW

Eugene N. Bechamps, P.E.; Robert J. Haefeli, P.E.; Ernest C. James, P.E.; Robert W. Jarvis, P.E.; J. Kent Roberts, P.E.; Everett S. Thompson, P.E.; Herbert G. Koogle, P.E.-L.S., chairman

Note – In regard to the question of application of the Code to corporations vis-a-vis real persons, business form or type should not negate nor influence conformance of individuals to the Code. The Code deals with professional services, which services must be performed by real persons. Real persons in turn establish and implement policies within business structures. The Code is clearly written to apply to the Engineer and it is incumbent on a member of NSPE to endeavor to live up to its provisions. This applies to all pertinent sections of the Code. This opinion is based on data submitted to the Board of Ethical Review and does not necessarily represent all of the pertinent facts when applied to a specific case. This opinion is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as expressing any opinion on the ethics of specific individuals. This opinion may be reprinted without further permission, provided that this statement is included before or after the text of the case.