Tricky.

If they haven't paid for the code, and it includes no GPL'd modules, and it is not mentioned in any contract then I don't think you have to disclose.

Ethically: should you? Your company privately developed this code at it's own expense, as I see it you have every ethical reason to refuse to release this.

• It's private property.
• It could potentially financially harm your company.
• They may want it for ESCROW purposes (e.g. in case your company tanks) but you can satisfy that by supplying the code to a trusted third party (talk to the company lawyer if this is in fact what they want).

I see nothing wrong with people making money out of Perl - I'm all in favour of it. While all the free contributions to Perl have helped me immensely, I'd be very reluctant to release commerically sensitive code without a lot of thought.

I don't see this as parasitism, I will contribute what I can to the community, but I will not feel obliged to do so other than through my own free choice.

My 2p, hope this helps.

"The future will be better tomorrow." ... from the collected wisdom of George W Bush.