[johnecheck]

I am not a lawyer, but don't employees (and maybe even users) have a breach of contract claim here?

At least in the US, if you tell me 'We'll never sell out' and I take a job with no equity because of it, that's a verbal legal contract and I have grounds to sue if you then sell out.

In theory, at least, our legal systems discourage/prevent this sort of lying and backstabbing. In practice, perhaps not.

[jagged-chisel]

You’ll have to hire a lawyer, and then hope yours is at least as tenacious as their expensive team of lawyers. It becomes quite a gamble, and one that can drag on for years costing you more and more until you’re broke.