I work a a large corp and we occasionally run our own POCs or engage externally to learn about significant aspects of a technology or process. Sometimes learnin

I work a a large corp and we occasionally run our own POCs or engage externally to learn about significant aspects of a technology or process. Sometimes learning about what matters can make us better at selecting good vendors. We are generally not in the business of the services our vendors provide and don’t have the staff, expertise, incentives or instructional fortitude to compete. That said, I’d never ask for a vendors source code (especially on a POC) unless I felt like an escrow situation was warranted if they went out of business. If I were you I’d ask for 1. Something like a non-compete or exclusivity agreement. They will not replicate the functionality internally or work with another vendor. 2. A lot of money to see the source code. If they are trying to learn from what you have, then you are providing them with a material benefit you should be compensated for. Offer to throw in consulting services if their objective is to learn. Bottom line, cover the risk that they steal your magic or otherwise benefit without you being compensated.