I am actually not familiar with this? It is actually a bit confusing?
 
I tried one game with tech brokering on but tech trading off and i could not trade any techs, not my own, nothing.
 
But you say tech brokering works when it is switched off??
 
Just to be sure, i checked the definition of the word 'off'.... "not functioning or so as to cease to function"
 
So can someone clarify?