I'd thought about that, and wasn't sure if approaching a potential competitor would look like an ultimatum and just piss them off. "Pay for this or I release it

I'd thought about that, and wasn't sure if approaching a potential competitor would look like an ultimatum and just piss them off. "Pay for this or I release it and compete with you." Of course (a) I guess that's business, and (b) if I were the competitor, had the money, and wanted to get a leg up, I might actually be pleased. It would depend on my position.