They steal code? They do? Really? In Perl? 99% of the things Perl is used for you can download it somewhere. And, the power is being able to update the code, to shift with the market, to add new functionality. If they "steal" you code, a good programmer will just add some kickin' new features, and leave them in the dust. Anyways, you'll not helping somebody much by giving them a compiled version. If they're worth assisting, then you can give them the benefit of the doubt. If they've actually stolen from you before, giving you cause to worry, then you wouldn't want to help them anyway.