> So, in the IBM context it's possible there is an agreement or code where it says they can work on software projects, but they need to identify themselves as IBM employees at all times.
I thought that too, but the last sentence:
> I grant you a 1 time exception on contributions to VNIC to make this change.
... sounds to me like Pan isn't allowed to work on it in his spare time even using his IBM email address. He made the email-removal change using his IBM email address, so I don't think it can be interpreted as a one-time exception to use his personal email address to do that removal. It sounds like a one-time exception to submit any kind of change at all.
I thought that too, but the last sentence:
> I grant you a 1 time exception on contributions to VNIC to make this change.
... sounds to me like Pan isn't allowed to work on it in his spare time even using his IBM email address. He made the email-removal change using his IBM email address, so I don't think it can be interpreted as a one-time exception to use his personal email address to do that removal. It sounds like a one-time exception to submit any kind of change at all.