Hi, RS

Let me put it this way. The term a confidentiality agreement (CA) is not something that would entice a potential partner to act sooner than later. It is not a tool of motivation. If anything, a short-term CA becomes motivation for the other party to make use of information acquired by moving on it after the CA expires, just what you don't want.

In other words, a CA of 3 or so years, is more likely to be held without action until it expires than is one of a longer term. ...and I don't think that making public such a deal would have much impact on the stock price, as it would smack of desparation (not a partnership in the making).

Meanwhile, a long-term CA, in keeping with typical practices, increases the odds of signing multiple agreements, which in turn increases the odds of turning a potenial partner into one who becomes a partner.

This means that JB and the BOD are not likely to consider a short-term CA just to have a CA.

Having said that, I am of course not speaking for JB or the BOD, just offering opinion from my own little world.

Hope this helps.

VP