I heard a rumour this was a lawyer or investor or something putting a foot down, saying Shimano can't share private information about how their electronic drivetrain works with a company (owned by another company) that makes electronic drivetrains. I have no way to know if this is true, and it seems a little goofy since SRAM is shipping them, they're not trying to figure out how to make one and eager to steal the secret.
If true, that's not a minor licensing issue that would be solved by more money.