Has anyone else heard of this?
I've run into a TCMA group that has its "disciples" sign contracts both when they join, and later if they become instructors, indicating that the forms, drills, theory, etc. of their martial art is intellectual property belonging exclusively to that the group (instructor), with the group (instructor) claiming proprietary (ownership) rights thereto! In other words, treating the martial art as a sort of a "trade secret" (like the formula for Coca Cola) that you cannot disclose without consent of the group (instructor), and you can't demo, teach, market, etc. without the express written consent of the group (instructor) -- or face being sued for breach of contract.