I have a domain object which I am presenting on a typical form. Here is a simplified example:

Code:
public class Name implements Keyed {

    private String firstName;
    private String middleName;
    private String lastName;
    private Number key;

    //Getters and Setters
}
Let's say I have two type of users whom can each modify these Name objects. For some silly reason one group is not allowed to see / edit the middle names of the users. So I leave that field off of the form (no hidden field either).

Is there anyway to keep Spring from clearing that middle name field (i.e it wasn't displayed to the user, hence it couldn't have changed)?

I could create a new object for this, but it seems like duplication which shouldn't be needed.