Right, exactly. This is like those companies that buy new cars, tear them down, and sell anyone who wants a 1200 page report about all the new technology in the car. Frankly, I think you'd be crazy to not understand your competitors technology in depth. They might be onto something. If they don't want you to steal it, that's what patents are for.

This process seems a lot more ethical than, say, hiring an employee and "hoping" that they'll have the same thought process at your company that led them to an innovative trade secret at their former job.